Answer to Question #218702 in General Chemistry for Daniela

Question

A hypothetical molecule with the formula XY3 is discovered, through experiment, to exist.  It is polar.  Which molecular shapes are possible for this molecule?  Which shapes are impossible?  Explain why in each case.

Answer 1

polar XY3 possible molecular shape is trigonal pyramidal while the impossible shape is tetrahedral.

Trigonal pyramidal in polar molecules is caused by presence of lone pair of electrons which repel bond pairs with central atom.

Tetrahedral shape is due to uniform repulsion between bonded pairs which is not the case with unbonded pairs present in a polar molecule.