In `ClF_(3)`, lone pair of electrons is present at equatorial position to minimize :

Options

A. Lone pair –lone pair repulsion only
B. Lone pair-bond pair repulsion mainly
C. Lone pair –lone pair and lone pair-bond pair repulsion only
D. Lone pair-lone pair and bond pair-bond pair repulsion only

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the presence of lone pairs in the equatorial position in ClF₃, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Molecular Geometry**:
- ClF₃ (Chlorine trifluoride) is an interhalogen compound. The central atom is chlorine (Cl), which is bonded to three fluorine (F) atoms.

2. **Determine the Number of Valence Electrons**:
- Chlorine has 7 valence electrons, and each fluorine has 7 valence electrons. Therefore, the total number of valence electrons in ClF₃ is:
\[ 7 \text{ (from Cl)} + 3 \times 7 \text{ (from F)} = 28 \text{ valence electrons} \]

3. **Account for Bonding and Lone Pairs**:
- In ClF₃, there are three Cl-F bonds, which use up 6 valence electrons (2 electrons per bond). This leaves us with:
\[ 28 - 6 = 22 \text{ electrons} \]
- Since each lone pair consists of 2 electrons, the remaining 22 electrons can be used to form lone pairs. Chlorine has 2 lone pairs remaining after forming three bonds.

4. **Determine the Arrangement of Lone Pairs and Bonding Pairs**:
- The molecular geometry of ClF₃ is based on the VSEPR theory. The presence of 3 bonding pairs and 2 lone pairs leads to a trigonal bipyramidal arrangement.
- To minimize repulsion, the lone pairs will occupy the equatorial positions, while the bonding pairs will occupy the axial positions.

5. **Minimize Repulsion**:
- Lone pairs are more repulsive than bonding pairs. By placing the lone pairs in the equatorial positions, we minimize the lone pair-lone pair and lone pair-bond pair repulsions. This arrangement leads to a T-shaped molecular geometry.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, in ClF₃, the lone pairs are located at the equatorial positions to minimize repulsion between lone pairs and bonding pairs.

### Final Answer:
In ClF₃, the lone pair of electrons is present at the equatorial position to minimize lone pair-lone pair and lone pair-bond pair repulsion.