Question at position 26 Use VSEPR theory to predict the molecular shape of SOCl2? Trigonal pyramidalSquare pyramidal Square planar Tetrahedral Bent

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In this question we’re asked to predict the molecular shape of SOCl2 using VSEPR theory.
Option 1: Trigonal pyramidal. Sulfur in SOCl2 forms three sigma bonds (one to oxygen via a double bond counted as one region, and two to chlorines) and has one lone pair. This gives four electron domains around S. Four electron domains adopt a tetrahedral arrangement for the electron geometry, but because there is one lone pair, the observed molecular shape becomes trigonal pyramidal. This aligns with VSEPR expectations for a central atom with one lone pair and three bonding pairs.
Option 2: Square pyramidal. This shape corresponds to five electron domains around the central atom (roughly five regions of electron density), which is not the case for SOCl2, so this is not correct.
Option 3: Square planar. A square planar arrangement typically arises when there are four electron domains with two lone pairs (or in certain d-block complexes), but SOCl2 has only one lone pair on sulfur, so this option mismatches the actual electron-domain count and geometry.
Option 4: Tetrahedral. A perfect tetrahedral shape would occur if there were four bonding domains and no lone pairs. Since SOCl2 has one lone pair on sulfur, the actual shape is not tetrahedral, so this is incorrect.
Option 5: Bent. The bent (or angular) geometry is usually associated with molecules having two bonding regions and one or more lone pairs in a way that reduces the angle from 180°, which does not describe SOCl2’s scenario of three bonding regions plus one lone pair. Therefore this option is not appropriate for SOCl2.
Thus, after evaluating the electron-domain arrangement and how lone pairs influence geometry, the correct description is trigonal pyramidal for SOCl2.

Question at position 26 Use VSEPR theory to predict the molecular shape of SOCl2? Trigonal pyramidalSquare pyramidal Square planar Tetrahedral Bent

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