In which of the following molecules are all the bonds not equal?
In , the central chlorine atom is hybridised and possesses 3 bond pairs and 2 lone pairs of electrons. According to the VSEPR theory, it adopts a T-shaped geometry derived from a trigonal bipyramidal structure. The two lone pairs occupy the equatorial positions to minimise repulsions. As a result, the two axial bonds suffer greater repulsion from the lone pairs and are longer than the single equatorial bond. Therefore, all bonds in are not equal. Conversely, in (trigonal planar), , and (trigonal pyramidal), all bonds are equivalent in length.
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