What is the molecular geometry of sulfur tetrachloride?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question: What is the molecular geometry of sulfur tetrachloride?

Option a: tetrahedral. This would be the geometry for a central atom with four bonding pairs and no lone pairs (AX4). However, sulfur tetrachloride (SCl4) has 5 electron domains around sulfur when considering lone pairs, so it cannot be purely tetrahedral. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

Option b: square planar. Square planar geometry occurs in certain d8 transition-metal complexes or AX4E2 cases under strong repulsion leading to a planar arrangement with two lone pairs. SCl4 does not adopt a square planar shape; sulfur in SCl4 carries a lone pair and the arrangement is not 90-degree constrained in a planar square. Thus this option is not correct.

Option c: square pyramidal. Square pyramidal geometry would arise in AX5E1 (five bonding pairs and one lone pair) or similar arrangements. SCl4 has four Cl ligands, not five, and the electron-domain count does not support a square pyramidal shape for this molecule. This makes this option incorrect.

Option d: disphenoidal. In VSEPR terms, SCl4 has five electron domains (four bond pairs to Cl atoms and one lone pair on sulfur), which typically yields a see-saw shape. The see-saw geometry is sometimes described as disphenoidal in older or alternative terminology, reflecting a distorted tetrahedral-like arrangement due to the lone pair. Therefore, this option best corresponds to the commonly accepted description for SCl4 among the given choices.

Summary: The molecule has five electron domains around sulfur (four bonds and one lone pair), leading to a see-saw/disphenoidal molecular geometry rather than a perfect tetrahedral, square planar, or square pyramidal arrangement. Hence, option d is the most accurate choice among the provided options.

CHM1051 MUM S2 2025 CHM1051 Practice Exam 2

What is the molecular geometry of sulfur tetrachloride?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Identify the bond angle and molecular shape of H2O.

What is the molecular geometry around the N atom in the molecule depicted?

The value of the C—S—O bond angle (or the angle about the S atom) is

According to VSEPR theory, which molecule adopts the molecular geometry pictured below? 14A

What is the shape of the ClF3 molecule?

Which species has the largest F-A-F bond angle, where A is the central atom?

Which of the following shapes does not represent a 6 electron domain?

Predict the molecular shape for each of these compounds. Remember to consider all of the outer electrons before you make your choice. BlackTom Analysis

More Practical Tools for International Students

Exam Browser Assistant

Stylized Writing Assistant

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation Assistant

In-Class Translation Assistant

Class Notes Assistant

Quiz Search Assistant

Past Exam Questions by School

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler