The molecular geometry of the 𝑁𝐹 3 is .

The molecular geometry of the 𝑁𝐹3 is .

a) trigonal pyramidal

b) trigonal planar

c) bent

d) tetrahedral

e) T-shaped

Answer: a) trigonal pyramidal

For NF3 the shape that is associated is that of trigonal pyramid. This shape involves the shade of the molecule as a result of the electrons distribution and interaction as they form bonds. Fluorine makes three bonds with the central nitrogen atom to from a symmetrical triangle around the nitrogen atom. Nitrogen now possesses five valence electrons and in the process of forming bonds; three electrons form single bonds with the fluorine atoms. The rest two electrons are involved in a lone pair. Based on VSEPR theory, the electron domains around the nitrogen atom which are four in number push each other in a manner that minimizes repulsion; three are bonding pairs and one is a lone pair. This gives tetrahedral electron domain geometry, but one is a lone pair of electrons, therefore the molecular shape is trigonal pyramidal. The lone pair is found at one of the vertices in the tetrahedron and thus it compacts the three N-F bonds more compared to tetrahedron.