Likely bond angles of `SF_(4)` molecule are :

Options

A. `120^(@), 180^(@)`
B. `45^(@), 118^(@)`
C. `117^(@), 92^(@)`
D. `89^(@).117^(@)`

Answer

To determine the likely bond angles of the `SF4` molecule, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Determine the Valence Electrons
Sulfur (S) is in group 16 of the periodic table and has 6 valence electrons. Each fluorine (F) atom has 7 valence electrons, and since there are 4 fluorine atoms, they contribute a total of 28 valence electrons. Therefore, the total number of valence electrons in `SF4` is:
\[ 6 \, (\text{from S}) + 4 \times 7 \, (\text{from F}) = 6 + 28 = 34 \, \text{valence electrons} \]

### Step 2: Calculate the Steric Number
The steric number is calculated as the sum of the number of bond pairs (sigma bonds) and lone pairs around the central atom (sulfur in this case). In `SF4`, sulfur is bonded to 4 fluorine atoms, which means there are 4 bond pairs. Additionally, there is 1 lone pair on the sulfur atom. Thus, the steric number is:
\[ \text{Steric Number} = \text{Number of Bond Pairs} + \text{Number of Lone Pairs} = 4 + 1 = 5 \]

### Step 3: Determine the Hybridization and Geometry
A steric number of 5 corresponds to `sp^3d` hybridization. The molecular geometry for `sp^3d` hybridization is trigonal bipyramidal.

### Step 4: Analyze the Bond Angles
In a trigonal bipyramidal geometry:
- The bond angles between the equatorial positions (the plane) are typically 120°.
- The bond angles between the axial positions and equatorial positions are typically 90°.

However, due to the presence of a lone pair, the bond angles will be slightly altered:
- The lone pair will occupy an equatorial position, leading to increased repulsion with the equatorial bond pairs, causing the equatorial bond angles to be slightly less than 120°.
- The axial bond angles will be less than 90° due to the repulsion from the lone pair.

### Step 5: Final Bond Angles
Considering the repulsion effects:
- The equatorial bond angles will be approximately 117°.
- The axial bond angles will be approximately 89°.

### Conclusion
The likely bond angles of the `SF4` molecule are approximately:
- 89° (for the axial bond angles)
- 117° (for the equatorial bond angles)

Thus, the correct answer is option D: 89° and 117°.

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