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NEET CHEMISTRYOrganic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques Easy

Question

Among the following, the pair in which the two species are not isostructural is:

A

IO3IO_{3}^{-} and XeO3XeO_{3}

B

BH4BH_{4}^{-} and NH4+NH_{4}^{+}

C

PF6PF_{6}^{-} and SF6SF_{6}

D

SiF4SiF_{4} and SF4SF_{4}

Step-by-Step Solution

Isostructural species are defined as those having the same molecular geometry . We can determine the geometry of each species using the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory:

  1. SiF4SiF_{4} and SF4SF_{4}: Silicon (Group 14) has four valence electrons, which it uses to form four bonds with fluorine atoms, resulting in a tetrahedral geometry . Sulphur (Group 16) has six valence electrons; it forms four bonds with fluorine and retains one lone pair (AB4EAB_{4}E type), resulting in a see-saw geometry . Because their geometries differ, they are not isostructural.
  2. IO3IO_{3}^{-} and XeO3XeO_{3}: Iodine (with a negative charge) and Xenon both effectively have eight valence electrons. They each form three bonds with oxygen and have one lone pair (AB3EAB_{3}E type), leading to a trigonal pyramidal geometry .
  3. BH4BH_{4}^{-} and NH4+NH_{4}^{+}: Both central atoms have four valence electrons involved in bonding (Boron gains one for the negative charge; Nitrogen loses one for the positive charge). Both form four bonds with hydrogen, resulting in tetrahedral geometries .
  4. PF6PF_{6}^{-} and SF6SF_{6}: Both phosphorus (with a negative charge) and sulphur effectively have six valence electrons, forming six bonds with fluorine atoms. This results in an octahedral geometry for both species .

Therefore, the only pair that is not isostructural is SiF4SiF_{4} and SF4SF_{4}.

Exam Context & Concepts Covered

This question aligns with the NEET CHEMISTRY syllabus, specifically targeting concepts from Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques . Mastering this topic is crucial for scoring well in the upcoming medical entrance examinations. Solving conceptually related problems will help you understand the nuances of these concepts and improve your problem-solving speed.

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