CBSE Class 12-science Answered

SF₄ has four bonded atoms and one lone pair. The five electron pairs around sulphur adopt trigonal bipyramidal geometry in which one position is occupied by a lone pair. This lone pair finds a position that minimizes the number of 90^o repulsions it has with bonding electron pairs. It occupies an equatorial position with two 90^o repulsions. The bonded electrons occupy the axial and equatorial positions. The axial S-F bonds are bent slightly away from the lone pair. Hence, all the bonds in SF₄ are not equivalent.