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CHEM 121 Studioby Learn4Less · UBC CHEM 121

CHEM 121 glossary

T-shaped

The AX3E2\mathrm{AX_3E_2} shape: a trigonal bipyramid with two equatorial lone pairs, leaving one equatorial and two axial atoms in a T. The bond angles are slightly less than 90°.

Central Cl atom bonded to 3 F atoms, with 2 lone pairs.FClFF90°180°Ideal bond angles: 90°, 180°
ClFX3\ce{ClF3}: two lone pairs in the equator leave a T of F atoms.

Example

In ClFX3\ce{ClF3} the axial-to-equatorial F–Cl–F angle is about 87.5°. BrFX3\ce{BrF3} and IClX3\ce{ICl3} are also T-shaped, and all are polar.

See alsoTrigonal bipyramidalSeesawAxial and equatorial positions