IF7 Lewis Structure, Characteristics: 13 Facts You Should Know

IF7 lewis structure is an interhalogen compound which implies that halogen atoms are involved. It is a structure with anomalies as illustrated in this article.

The IF7 lewis structure consists of iodine surrounded by 7 fluorine atoms. Here the iodine atom due to its large size in the halogen group can accommodate more electrons due to its ability to form an expanded octet. The fluorine atoms can fulfill their octet by forming a single covalent bond.

The IF7 lewis structure is a colorless gas and forms dense vapor and has a mass of 259.9 g/mol. Its mp and bp are 4.5 and 4.8-degree celsius and it can form colorless crystals but they are not sustained due to very little difference in its mp and bp. 

IF7 lewis structure has many characteristics associated with it which defines it structurally and electronically. These characteristics are discussed and listed below:

How to draw the IF7 lewis structure?

Lewis structures are of great significance when it comes to bonding. On a similar note drawing of IF7 lewis structure involves certain steps mentioned below:

Step1: Counting the number of valence electrons involved in bonding

Valence electron counting is the basic step which throws light on number of electrons involved. Let us understand its calculation below:

The IF7 lewis structure valence electron calculation involves one iodine atom and 7 fluorine atoms that are surrounding it.  Both iodine and fluorine belong to the same halogen family and have 7 valence electrons.

So the total number of valence electrons involved is 7 + 7(7) = 56

 Step2: Finding the central atom

It is very evident that in the IF7 lewis structure there is one iodine central atom and 7 fluorine atoms surrounding it.

According to the rule, the least electronegative atom is the central atom which balances the electric field. So here iodine is the central atom.

Step3: Bonding between the atoms

Bonding in any lewis structure is according to the division or distribution of electrons among the atoms. The one for IF7 lewis structure is explained below.

The bonding between iodine and the 7 fluorine atoms is through a single covalent bond formed between them. Here all the fluorine atoms can fulfill their octet requirement by sharing 1 electron.

But iodine, unlike fluorine, exhibits anomalous behavior despite belonging to the same group as fluorine. Iodine because of its large size can adjust more than 8 electrons and form a super octet species which thereby completes the stability criteria of both iodine and fluorine.

Step4: Formal charge calculation 

Formal charge calculation is the last step in any lewis structure to confirm the stability of the molecule. Let us look at the criterion for calculating the same.

The formal charge of iodine and fluorine is 0 in IF7 lewis structure which is an interhalogen compound which confirms the authenticity of the molecule.

For checking whether the compound formed by sharing of electrons has existence it is important to calculate the formal charge of every atom involved in the compound. The lesser the formal charge, the more it confirms the existence of the compound.

IF7 lewis structure resonance

Resonance or mesomerism is a very significant phenomenon in every compound formed by sharing of electrons. Let us discuss it in the case of IF7 lewis structure.

The IF7 lewis structure has no resonance as it is formed through a single covalent bond formation and does not have any lone pair of electrons. Hence there will be no bond movements and delocalization of electrons.

Hence only 1 structure will explain all the properties associated with the IF7 lewis structure and no canonical structure formation will be observed.

IF7 lewis structure geometry and shape

The prediction of the shape and geometry of any molecule is possible through VSEPR theory. The description of IF7 lewis structure molecular geometry is discussed below.

IF7 lewis structure geometry is pentagonal bipyramidal and is an intermediate in reactions with coordination number 7 responsible for the same. Its orbital hybridization is sp3d3.

Another noteworthy fact is that according to VSEPR theory shape and molecular geometry are 2 different aspects. So the geometry of the IF7 lewis structure is pentagonal bipyramidal but its shape is distorted octahedral.

IF7 lewis structure
IF7 lewis structure 2D and 3D representation

IF7 lewis structure formal charge

The formal charge is calculated to confirm the existence of any lewis structure. Let us discuss the formal charge in the case of IF7 lewis structure.

Formula of formal charge in IF7 lewis structure = Number of valence electrons – Number of nonbonding electrons – total number of bonding electrons / 2

Formal charge of I in IF7 lewis structure = 7 – 6 – 2/2 = 0

Formal charge of F in IF7 lewis structure = 7 – 6 -2/2 = 0

Hence IF7 lewis structure exists.

IF7 lewis structure angle

Bond angle of any compound is related to its molecular shape and geometry. Let us understand the IF7 lewis structure angle in consideration with its geometry.

IF7 lewis structure angle is related to its geometry which is pentagonal bipyramidal. This implies that all the bonds in the IF7 lewis structure are not the same. There are 2 types of bonds found in the structure. One is the axial bond and the other is the equatorial bond with 90 degrees and 72 degrees angle respectively.

Due to differences in the bond, the bond angle will also differ in the IF7 lewis structure. So in the equatorial plane, the bond angle is 72 degrees and in the axial plane the bond angle is 90 degrees

IF7 lewis structure octet rule

The octet rule is a stability criterion followed by elements by sharing, losing, or gaining electrons. Let us learn more about it in IF7 lewis structure.

In IF7 lewis structure, the octet rule criterion is fulfilled by fluorine atoms associated with central iodine by sharing as they need only 1 electron to fulfill it.

On the other hand, iodine is an anomaly because it can adjust more than 8 electrons due to its big atomic size and can form an expanded octet. So it is considered a hypervalent species.

IF7 lewis structure lone pair

In the lewis dot electron symbol, the lone pair of electrons of the central atom is of significance. Let us discuss the same concept keeping IF7 lewis structure in mind.

In the case of IF7 lewis structure the lone pair of electrons around the central atom iodine surrounded by 7 terminal fluorine atoms by single covalent bonds is 0 which implies the absence of lone pair of electrons

So the central atom iodine does not have any lone pair of electrons because all of them are occupied or have become bond pairs.

IF7 lewis structure valence electrons

IF7 lewis structure valence electrons is a stepping stone to find its properties. Let us learn about valence electrons and figure out the same for IF7 lewis structure.

There are a total of 56 valence electrons in IF7 lewis structure. In the case of IF7, lewis structure iodine has 7 valence electrons, and so does fluorine as they are from the same family of halogens. So the total number of valence electrons participating in bonding is 7 + 7(7) = 56. 

IF7 lewis structure hybridization

Hybridization is the mixing of orbitals into new orbitals having completely different energies. Let us look into the hybridization of IF7 lewis structure.

The hybridization of IF7 lewis structure is sp3d3. The formula of steric no. is Total no. of sigma bonds + Lone pairs around the central atom. In IF7 lewis structure the I is the central atom and it is surrounded by 7 F atoms by single covalent bonds and I has no lone pair of electrons.

Hence there are 7 sigma bonds and 0 lone pairs. So the steric number is 7. According to that notion, the hybridization of the IF7 lewis structure is sp3d3.

Is IF7 lewis structure polar or nonpolar?

Polarity of a molecule helps in designing its future use in terms of the reactions associated with it. Let us learn about the polarity of IF7 lewis structure.

IF7 lewis structure is a nonpolar compound with no net dipole moment. The electronegativity difference in iodine and fluorine is not much because they both are from halogen family. So the desired electronegativity difference is not observed.

Why IF7 lewis structure is polar or nonpolar?

Polarity in IF7 lewis structure is related to its geometry and the electronegativity of the elements involved. Let us understand more about this.

The IF7 lewis structure is nonpolar as a molecule because it has complex geometry where there are equatorial and axial bond angles. Also, iodine is the central atom surrounded by 7 fluorine atoms with no lone pair of electrons.

Hence IF7 lewis structure is a nonpolar compound with no net dipole moment.

Is IF7 lewis structure ionic or covalent?

Ionic or Covalent character can be determined from the structure and sharing patterns. Let us describe it below for IF7 lewis structure.

IF7 lewis structure is a covalent molecule. The covalency is due to sharing of electrons between iodine and fluorine instead of the transference of electrons.

Why IF7 lewis structure ionic or covalent?

IF7 lewis structure ionic or covalent character is associated with the type of elements involved in the bonding. Let us found the same in the context of elements involved.

The IF7 lewis structure is covalent as it comprises iodine and fluorine atoms which are non-metals. Non-metals usually exhibit covalent bonding.

So according to the VSEPR theory IF7 lewis structure is a predominantly covalent molecule with small ionic contributions.

Is IF7 lewis structure hypervalent?

Hyper valency is an anomalous character to octet rule. Let us find out its meaning and whether IF7 lewis structure exhibit it or not.

Iodine is a Hypervalent compound in which one of the elements can accommodate more than the common octet stability.

Why IF7 lewis structure is hypervalent?

Hypervalency or super octet nature is exhibited by certain elements and compounds. Let us lookout for the reason in the case of IF7 lewis structure.

Iodine in IF7 lewis structure is hypervalent because of its large size which can adjust all the extra electrons obtained from sharing with the fluorine atoms. So iodine can form expanded octet and is a hypervalent species.

Is IF7 lewis structure planar or non-planar?

Planarity or 3d representation of a molecule can be described from its structure. Let us figure out whether IF7 lewis structure fulfill this criteria.

IF7 lewis structure is compound which despite having 2 different planes exhibit a symmetrical and planar structure.

Why IF7 lewis structure is planar or nonplanar?

IF7 lewis structure is anamolous when it comes to planarity. Let us find the reason behind it.

IF7 lewis structure is a planar compound due to its geometry which has 2 types of planes namely equatorial plane and axial plane which differs in the bond length and the bond angle.

But all of these despite being unsymmetrical lie in the same plane. Hence IF7 lewis structure is a planar molecule.

Conclusion

In nutshell, the IF7 lewis structure is an interhalogen compound that has different behavior as compared to other lewis structures. Here the iodine can form super octet and the IF7 lewis structure exhibit pentagonal bipyramidal geometry with axial and equatorial bonds having different bond angles as well.

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