Is XeF2 linear

Answer 1

XeF2 forms two single bonds, leaving 3 lone electron pairs around the central Xe. [Fluorine only needs one electron to complete its octet, so Xenon separates one electron pair and each Fluorine bonds to one of those electrons. The Fluorines thus form two single bonds to complete their octets, and Xenon ends up with 10 valence electrons. That's allowed because Xe is in the 5th period and can store extra valence electrons in the d subshell]

The electron pairs (including bonded pairs) form a trigonal bipyramid (two pyramids sharing a three sided base). To achieve maximum separation, the lone electron pairs spread out along a plane (think the x-y axes), while the electron pairs that are bonded to Fluorine end up perpendicular to that plane, opposite each other (think on the z axis). Since they're opposite on an axis, they are in a straight line.

Looking at the geometry of the atoms, rather than the electron pairs (which formed a trigonal bipyramid), you only see F-Xe-F in a straight line, so XeF2 is linear.

Hope this helps

-K (chem student)