Atomic Structure

Concept: To determine hybridization and lone pairs: \begin{itemize} \item Count total electron domains around central atom \item Use VSEPR theory \end{itemize} Step 1: Valence electrons Xe has 8 valence electrons. In XeOF : \begin{itemize} \item 1 Xe=O double bond (1 domain) \item 2 Xe–F single bonds (2 domains) \end{itemize} Total bonding domains = 3 Step 2: Determine lone pairs Xenon expands octet (hypervalent). Total electron pairs around Xe = 5 (trigonal bipyramidal arrangement). Thus: Actual VSEPR arrangement gives 5 electron pairs: Hence hybridization: Conclusion: Xe has 3 lone pairs and dsp hybridization.