Question

The correct increasing order of number of lone pair of electrons on the central atom of \(SnCl_2\), \(XeF_2\),\( CIF_3\) and \( SO_3\) is

• A. \( SO_3\) <\( CIF_3\)<\(SnCl_2\)<\(XeF_2\)
• B. \( SO_3\)<\(SnCl_2\) <\( CIF_3\)<\(XeF_2\)
• C. \(XeF_2\)<\(SnCl_2\) <\( CIF_3\)<\( SO_3\)
• D. \(XeF_2\) <\( CIF_3\)<\(SnCl_2\)<\( SO_3\)

Hint:

The number of lone pairs can be predicted by counting the bonding pairs and subtracting from the total number of valence electrons.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: \( SO_3\) has no lone pairs on the central atom. \(SnCl_2\) has two lone pairs,\( CIF_3\) has one lone pair, and \(XeF_2\) has three lone pairs. 

Step 2: Therefore, the correct increasing order of lone pairs is \( SO_3\)<(SnCl_2\) <\( CIF_3\)<(XeF_2\).