Chemistry - CHEMICAL BONDING Question with Solution | TestHub

The molecular geometry of XeF₅⁺ is square pyramidal (central Xe is sp³d² hybridized with one lone pair). Due to lone pair-bond pair repulsion, the Xe atom is pushed out of the plane of the four equatorial fluorine atoms. Consequently, the maximum number of atoms in any single plane is 4. There are exactly 3 such planes:

One equatorial plane containing the 4 equatorial fluorine atoms.

Two vertical planes, each containing the axial fluorine atom, the central xenon atom, and two opposite equatorial fluorine atoms.