What is the molecular shape of PF3?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the molecular shape of the compound phosphorus trifluoride (PF3), which is a concept in chemistry related to molecular geometry and bonding theory.
Answer
trigonal pyramidal
The molecular shape of PF3 is trigonal pyramidal.
Answer for screen readers
The molecular shape of PF3 is trigonal pyramidal.
More Information
PF3, or phosphorus trifluoride, has a trigonal pyramidal shape due to the lone pair of electrons on the phosphorus atom, which repels the bonding pairs of electrons in the P-F bonds.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume PF3 is a flat, trigonal planar molecule. However, the lone pair of electrons on phosphorus causes a pyramidal shape.
Sources
- VSEPR Theory - Chemistry LibreTexts - chem.libretexts.org
- Phosphorus trifluoride - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
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