Which of the following has a seesaw shape according to VSEPR theory?

Which of the following has a seesaw shape according to VSEPR theory?

Correct Answer: SF4

Step 1: Understand VSEPR theory, which helps predict the shape of molecules based on the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons.
Step 2: Identify the molecule in question, which is SF4 (sulfur tetrafluoride).
Step 3: Count the number of bonding pairs in SF4. There are 4 fluorine atoms bonded to the sulfur atom, so there are 4 bonding pairs.
Step 4: Count the number of lone pairs on the sulfur atom. In SF4, there is 1 lone pair.
Step 5: Combine the bonding pairs and lone pairs. SF4 has 4 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair, making a total of 5 electron pairs.
Step 6: Use VSEPR theory to determine the shape. With 5 electron pairs, the base shape is trigonal bipyramidal.
Step 7: The presence of 1 lone pair will alter the shape from trigonal bipyramidal to seesaw.
Step 8: Conclude that SF4 has a seesaw shape due to its 4 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair.

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