Questions: The electron-domain geometry and molecular geometry of iodine trichloride are and , respectively.

Transcript text: The electron-domain geometry and molecular geometry of iodine trichloride are $\qquad$ and $\qquad$ , respectively.

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Determine the Electron-Domain Geometry

Iodine trichloride ($ \text{ICl}_3 $) has a total of 5 electron domains around the central iodine atom: 3 bonding pairs (from the three chlorine atoms) and 2 lone pairs. According to the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory, 5 electron domains correspond to a trigonal bipyramidal electron-domain geometry.

Step 2: Determine the Molecular Geometry

In a trigonal bipyramidal electron-domain geometry, the presence of 2 lone pairs will occupy equatorial positions to minimize repulsion. This leaves the 3 chlorine atoms in a T-shaped arrangement. Therefore, the molecular geometry of iodine trichloride is T-shaped.