Pentagonal bipyramidal structure contains bond angles approximately
72°, 90°, 180°
— A pentagonal bipyramidal geometry is characterized by a central atom bonded to seven other atoms.A pentagonal bipyramidal geometry is characterized by a central atom bonded to seven other atoms. In this structure, five atoms lie in an equatorial plane, forming a regular pentagon, and two atoms are in axial positions, one above and one below the plane.
Step 1: Analyze the equatorial plane.
The five atoms in the equatorial plane form a regular pentagon around the central atom. The angle between any two adjacent bonds in a regular pentagon is calculated as . So, the bond angles within the equatorial plane are .
Step 2: Analyze the axial bonds.
The two axial bonds are perpendicular to the equatorial plane. Therefore, the angle between an axial bond and any equatorial bond is .
Step 3: Analyze the angle between axial bonds.
The two axial bonds are directed opposite to each other, forming a straight line through the central atom. Thus, the angle between the two axial bonds is .
Step 4: Combine the angles.
The approximate bond angles present in a pentagonal bipyramidal structure are (equatorial-equatorial), (axial-equatorial), and (axial-axial).
Option Analysis:
- A) 120°, 90°, 180°: is incorrect for the equatorial angle.
- B) 120°, 72°, 180°: is incorrect for the equatorial angle, and is correct for equatorial but is missing for axial-equatorial.
- C) 72°, 90°, 120°: is incorrect, and (axial-axial) is missing.
- D) 72°, 90°, 180°: This option correctly lists all the characteristic bond angles for a pentagonal bipyramidal geometry.
Correct Answer: (D)
72°, 90°, 180°