Numford
Hybridisation

Hybridisation of XeF₆

Xe is sp³d³ hybridised (hybridization by the VSEPR count): 6 sigma bonds and 1 lone pair give a distorted octahedral shape, bond angle no single angle.

FFFXeFFF
  • Xe
  • F
  • lone pair

XeF₆Xenon hexafluoride

Distorted octahedral

AB₆E: 6 bond pairs, 1 lone pair

  • Hybridisationsp³d³
  • Bond angleno single angle
  • Polarityslightly polar

Why this shape

  1. Xe has 8 valence electrons. It uses six in six single bonds to F, so two are left as one lone pair.
  2. Steric number = six sigma bonds + one lone pair = 7, so Xe is sp³d³ hybridised.
  3. Seven electron pairs point to the corners of a pentagonal bipyramid (pentagonal bipyramidal electron geometry). With one lone pair in place of atoms, the atoms make a distorted octahedral shape.
  4. The lone pair pushes the six bonds out of a perfect octahedron.
  5. Repulsion falls in the order lone pair to lone pair > lone pair to bond pair > bond pair to bond pair. The lone pair pushes the bond pairs closer, so the angle is no single angle.
  6. XeF₆ is slightly polar (distorted octahedral, the dipole is very small).

Lewis structure

50 valence electrons
XeFFFFFF

Formal charges: none

Working

Why this hybridisation and shape

  1. Xe has 8 valence electrons. It uses six in six single bonds to F, so two are left as one lone pair.
  2. Steric number = six sigma bonds + one lone pair = 7, so Xe is sp³d³ hybridised.
  3. Seven electron pairs point to the corners of a pentagonal bipyramid (pentagonal bipyramidal electron geometry). With one lone pair in place of atoms, the atoms make a distorted octahedral shape.
  4. The lone pair pushes the six bonds out of a perfect octahedron.
  5. Repulsion falls in the order lone pair to lone pair > lone pair to bond pair > bond pair to bond pair. The lone pair pushes the bond pairs closer, so the angle is no single angle.
  6. XeF₆ is slightly polar (distorted octahedral, the dipole is very small).

Class 11, Chapter 4 Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure.

Questions

Hybridisation of XeF6: quick answers

What is the hybridisation of XeF6?

Xe has 8 valence electrons. It uses six in six single bonds to F, so two are left as one lone pair. Steric number = six sigma bonds + one lone pair = 7, so Xe is sp³d³ hybridised.

What is the shape of XeF6 and its bond angle?

Distorted octahedral, with a bond angle of no single angle. Seven electron pairs point to the corners of a pentagonal bipyramid (pentagonal bipyramidal electron geometry). With one lone pair in place of atoms, the atoms make a distorted octahedral shape. The lone pair pushes the six bonds out of a perfect octahedron. Repulsion falls in the order lone pair to lone pair > lone pair to bond pair > bond pair to bond pair. The lone pair pushes the bond pairs closer, so the angle is no single angle.

Is XeF6 polar or non-polar?

XeF₆ is slightly polar (distorted octahedral, the dipole is very small).

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