What is icl3 molecular geometry?

Here's information about the molecular geometry of ICl3:

ICl3 (Iodine trichloride) has a T-shaped molecular geometry. This arises from the following:

  • Central Atom: The central atom is Iodine (I).
  • Electron Domains: Iodine has 7 valence electrons. It forms 3 bonds with Chlorine atoms and has 2 lone pairs of electrons. Therefore, there are 5 electron domains around the central Iodine atom.
  • Electron Geometry: With 5 electron domains, the electron geometry is trigonal bipyramidal (URL: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/trigonal%20bipyramidal).
  • Molecular Geometry: Due to the presence of 2 lone pairs, the molecular geometry is not the same as the electron geometry. The 2 lone pairs occupy the equatorial positions in the trigonal bipyramidal arrangement to minimize repulsion. This arrangement results in a T-shaped (URL: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/T-shaped) molecular geometry. The three chlorine atoms occupy the remaining two axial and one equatorial position, resulting in the molecule resembling a "T".
  • Bond Angles: The bond angles are approximately 90° because of the lone pair repulsions.

Essentially, the lone pairs "push" the chlorine atoms into a T-shape.