Question

The number of lone pairs on central metal atom Xe in XeF₂, XeF₄ and XeF₆, respectively are 

(a) 2, 3, 1 

(b) 1, 2, 3 

(c) 4, 1, 2 

(d) 3, 2, 1

Answer 1

Correct option is (d) 3, 2, 1

Xe atom has 8 electrons in its outermost shell. In case of XeF₂, out of these 8 electrons, 2 are used for bond formation, while 3 pairs remains non-bonded, i.e. it has 3 lone pairs. In case XeF₄, 4 electrons of Xe are used for bonding. Thus it has 2 lone pairs. In case of XeF₆, 6 electrons are involved for bond formation, thus, it has only 1 lone pair.