Which one of the following pairs is isostructural (i.e. having the same shape and hybridization)
Source: https://www.lazynewton.com/questions/chemistry/chemical-bonding-and-molecular-structure/pairs-isostructural-ie-shape-hybridization-935003
Quick Answer
Option B
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— To determine if a pair of species is isostructural, we need to compare their shapes and hybridization.Step-by-step solution
1AnswerB·
To determine if a pair of species is isostructural, we need to compare their shapes and hybridization. This involves calculating the steric number (number of bond pairs + lone pairs) for the central atom, which then determines the hybridization and molecular geometry.
Step 1: Analyze Option A - and
- For : Nitrogen (central atom) has 5 valence electrons. It forms 3 single bonds with F atoms and has 1 lone pair. Steric number = 3 (bond pairs) + 1 (lone pair) = 4. Hybridization = . Shape = Pyramidal.
- For : Boron (central atom) has 3 valence electrons. It forms 3 single bonds with F atoms and has 0 lone pairs. Steric number = 3 (bond pairs) + 0 (lone pairs) = 3. Hybridization = . Shape = Trigonal planar.
- Since their shapes and hybridizations are different, they are not isostructural.
Step 2: Analyze Option B - and
- For : Boron (central atom) has 3 valence electrons. It forms 4 single bonds with F atoms and has a -1 charge, meaning it accepts one electron. So, 3 (valence e-) + 1 (from charge) = 4 electrons for bonding. It forms 4 single bonds with F atoms and has 0 lone pairs. Steric number = 4 (bond pairs) + 0 (lone pairs) = 4. Hybridization = . Shape = Tetrahedral.
- For : Nitrogen (central atom) has 5 valence electrons. It forms 4 single bonds with H atoms and has a +1 charge, meaning it loses one electron. So, 5 (valence e-) - 1 (from charge) = 4 electrons for bonding. It forms 4 single bonds with H atoms and has 0 lone pairs. Steric number = 4 (bond pairs) + 0 (lone pairs) = 4. Hybridization = . Shape = Tetrahedral.
- Since their shapes and hybridizations are the same, they are isostructural.
Step 3: Analyze Option C - and
- For : Boron (central atom) has 3 valence electrons. It forms 3 single bonds with Cl atoms and has 0 lone pairs. Steric number = 3. Hybridization = . Shape = Trigonal planar.
- For : Bromine (central atom) has 7 valence electrons. It forms 3 single bonds with Cl atoms and has 2 lone pairs (7 - 3 = 4 electrons, so 2 lone pairs). Steric number = 3 (bond pairs) + 2 (lone pairs) = 5. Hybridization = . Shape = T-shaped.
- Since their shapes and hybridizations are different, they are not isostructural.
Step 4: Analyze Option D - and
- For : Nitrogen (central atom) has 5 valence electrons. It forms 3 single bonds with H atoms and has 1 lone pair. Steric number = 4. Hybridization = . Shape = Pyramidal.
- For : Nitrogen (central atom) has 5 valence electrons. It forms 3 bonds (one double, two single) with O atoms and has a -1 charge. The total number of valence electrons for is 5 (N) + 3*6 (O) + 1 (charge) = 24. The central N forms 3 bonds with O atoms and has 0 lone pairs. Steric number = 3. Hybridization = . Shape = Trigonal planar.
- Since their shapes and hybridizations are different, they are not isostructural.
Correct Answer: (B)
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