Moderate

Which one of the following molecules is not planar?

Correct answer: B. Phosphorus trichloride.

  • A. Benzene.
  • B. Phosphorus trichloride.
  • C. Ethene.
  • D. Boron trifluoride.

Explanation

The correct answer is Phosphorus trichloride (PCl3) because it has a trigonal pyramidal geometry, which results from the lone pair on the phosphorus atom causing a deviation from planarity. In contrast, Benzene, Ethene, and Boron trifluoride are all planar molecules. Benzene has a hexagonal planar ring, Ethene has a planar double-bonded structure, and Boron trifluoride has a trigonal planar arrangement.

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Chemical bonding explains molecular shape through VSEPR theory and distinguishes sigma bonds from pi bonds. Questions involve hybridization, bond angles, dipole moment and bond energy, including how electron-pair repulsion determines geometry and how bond polarity differs from the overall polarity of a molecule.

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