The shape of sulpher hexafluoride molecule is

Options

A. Tetrahedral
B. Square planar
C. pyramidal
D. Octahedral

Answer

To determine the shape of the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) molecule, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the central atom
The central atom in sulfur hexafluoride is sulfur (S).

### Step 2: Determine the valence electrons
Sulfur has 6 valence electrons. Each fluorine (F) atom contributes 1 valence electron. Since there are 6 fluorine atoms, the total number of valence electrons contributed by fluorine is 6.

### Step 3: Calculate the steric number
The steric number is calculated using the formula:
\[ \text{Steric Number} = \text{Number of Valence Electrons of Central Atom} + \frac{\text{Number of Monovalent Atoms}}{2} \]
In this case:
\[ \text{Steric Number} = 6 + \frac{6}{2} = 6 + 3 = 6 \]

### Step 4: Determine the hybridization
The steric number of 6 indicates that the hybridization of the sulfur atom is \(sp^3d^2\).

### Step 5: Identify the number of bond pairs and lone pairs
In SF6, there are 6 bond pairs (one for each S-F bond) and 0 lone pairs.

### Step 6: Determine the molecular geometry
With 6 bond pairs and no lone pairs, the molecular geometry is octahedral. In an octahedral arrangement, the bonds are positioned at 90 degrees to each other.

### Step 7: Conclusion
The shape of the sulfur hexafluoride molecule (SF6) is octahedral.

---