Question

which molecule has a t - shaped molecular geometry?
a) ncl3
b) icl3
c) pcl3
d) cocl2
e) socl2

Explanation:

T - shaped molecular geometry occurs when a central atom has 5 electron - pair groups (trigonal bipyramidal electron - pair geometry) with 2 lone pairs. In $ICl_3$, iodine is the central atom. Iodine has 7 valence electrons, and it forms 3 bonds with chlorine atoms and has 2 lone pairs. The electron - pair geometry around iodine is trigonal bipyramidal, and the molecular geometry is T - shaped due to the repulsion of the lone pairs. $NCl_3$ has a trigonal pyramidal geometry, $PCl_3$ has a trigonal pyramidal geometry, $COCl_2$ has a trigonal planar geometry, and $SOCl_2$ has a trigonal pyramidal geometry.

Answer:

B. $ICl_3$