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:
- SiF4 and SF4: 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 (AB4E type), resulting in a see-saw geometry . Because their geometries differ, they are not isostructural.
- IO3− and XeO3: 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 (AB3E type), leading to a trigonal pyramidal geometry .
- BH4− and NH4+: 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 .
- PF6− and SF6: 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 SiF4 and SF4.