According to the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, the magnitude of repulsive interactions between electron pairs follows the order: Lone pair (lp) – Lone pair (lp) > Lone pair (lp) – Bond pair (bp) > Bond pair (bp) – Bond pair (bp) .
To determine which molecule has the maximum lone pair - lone pair repulsion, we count the lone pairs on the central atom of each molecule:
- XeF2: Xenon (group 18) has 8 valence electrons. Two are used for bonding, leaving 6 electrons which form 3 lone pairs .
- ClF3: Chlorine (group 17) has 7 valence electrons. Three are used for bonding, leaving 4 electrons which form 2 lone pairs .
- IF5: Iodine (group 17) has 7 valence electrons. Five are used for bonding, leaving 2 electrons which form 1 lone pair .
- SF4: Sulphur (group 16) has 6 valence electrons. Four are used for bonding, leaving 2 electrons which form 1 lone pair .
Since XeF2 has the highest number of lone pairs (3), it will experience the maximum 'lone pair - lone pair' electron repulsions among the given options.