devarshi-dt-logo

Question:

Which of the following is a polar molecule?

BF3

SF4

SiF4

XeF4

Solution:

BF3, SiF4, and XeF4 are nonpolar molecules as individual bond dipoles cancel each other. SF4 is a polar molecule as the individual bond dipoles do not cancel each other. SF4 contains 4 bond pairs of electrons and 1 lone pair of electrons. The S atom undergoes sp3d hybridization which results in distorted tetrahedral geometry. BF3 contains 3 bond pairs of electrons and zero lone pairs of electrons. The B atom undergoes sp2 hybridization which results in trigonal planar geometry. SiF4 contains 4 bond pairs of electrons and zero lone pairs of electrons. The Si atom undergoes sp3 hybridization which results in tetrahedral geometry. XeF4 contains 4 bond pairs of electrons and 2 lone pairs of electrons. The Xe atom undergoes sp3d2 hybridization which results in square planar geometry.