What is the molecular geometry of OF2?
a. pyramidal
b. square planar
c. bent
d. trigonal planar
e. octahedral
Answer: c. bent
OF2 (oxygen difluoride) has a bent molecular geometry. This shape is decided by VSEPR theory, Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory. As we move to OF2, the number of oxygen atoms has reduced to one which is surrounded by two F atoms. Oxygen also has two lone pairs of electrons located at the top and the bottom of the structure of the atom. According to VSEPR, there are four electron domains around the central oxygen atom: It has two bond pairs (with fluorine) and two lone pairs. Due to the repulsion between these electron domains, particularly, the strong repulsion arising from the lone pairs, the molecule is bent. In this geometry, electron pair repulsion is at the minimum, and the bond angle is about 103° which is slightly less than the ideal tetrahedral angle due to greater repulsion from the lone pairs.
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