Home/JEE Main/Chemistry/Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure/Q-geometry-respect-central-atom-molecules-are-33-3-33-375383Question
ChemistryJEE MainClass 11Medium

The geometry with respect to the central atom of the following molecules are:

Save to Doubtnotebook
Source: https://www.lazynewton.com/questions/chemistry/chemical-bonding-and-molecular-structure/geometry-respect-central-atom-molecules-are-33-3-33-375383
Quick Answer
Option B

planar, pyramidal, pyramidal

Let's analyze the geometry of each molecule: 1.
Step-by-step solution
1

Let's analyze the geometry of each molecule:

1.

In , the nitrogen atom is bonded to three groups. Nitrogen has a lone pair of electrons. However, due to the presence of vacant d-orbitals in silicon, there is a possibility of pπ-dπ backbonding between the lone pair on nitrogen and the vacant d-orbitals of silicon. This backbonding delocalizes the lone pair, making the nitrogen atom sp2 hybridized and resulting in a planar geometry.

2. (Trimethylamine)

In , the nitrogen atom is bonded to three methyl groups and has one lone pair of electrons. There is no possibility of backbonding as carbon does not have vacant d-orbitals. Therefore, the nitrogen atom is sp3 hybridized, and the molecule adopts a pyramidal geometry due to the repulsion between the lone pair and bond pairs.

3.

In , the phosphorus atom is bonded to three groups and has one lone pair of electrons. Similar to nitrogen in , phosphorus also has vacant d-orbitals, and silicon also has vacant d-orbitals. However, the tendency for pπ-dπ backbonding is much weaker for phosphorus compared to nitrogen because phosphorus is a larger atom, and its lone pair is in a 3p orbital, which is less effective in overlapping with the 3d orbitals of silicon. Therefore, the lone pair on phosphorus remains localized, leading to sp3 hybridization and a pyramidal geometry.

Option Analysis:

  • A) planar, pyramidal, planar: Incorrect, as is pyramidal.
  • B) planar, pyramidal, pyramidal: Correct, as determined above.
  • C) pyramidal, pyramidal, pyramidal: Incorrect, as is planar.
  • D) pyramidal, planar, pyramidal: Incorrect, as is planar and is pyramidal.

Correct Answer: (B)

AnswerB·

planar, pyramidal, pyramidal

Still confused?

Ask KAEL — explains in Hinglish, remembers your strengths and weaknesses, and reminds you when to revise.

Ask KAEL
Unlock 300K questions on lazynewton.com