Which of the following molecules exhibits an octahedral geometry?

• A. SF6
• B. CBr4
• C. XeF4
• D. BrF3

Answer: (A)

The molecule that exhibits an octahedral geometry is SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride). In an octahedral molecular geometry, a central atom is surrounded by six other atoms placed at the corners of an octahedron. This configuration allows for 90-degree bond angles between adjacent bonds, optimizing the spatial arrangement of the bonded atoms while minimizing repulsion between their electron clouds.

In SF6, the sulfur atom is the central atom, and it forms six single bonds with six fluorine atoms. With six bonding pairs of electrons and no lone pairs, the molecular geometry aligns perfectly with the octahedral shape. This geometry is a result of sp³d² hybridization of the central sulfur atom, leading to the required spatial arrangement.

The other molecules listed do not exhibit octahedral geometry. CBr4 (carbon tetrabromide) has a tetrahedral geometry due to the four Br atoms bonded to a central carbon atom in a symmetrical arrangement. XeF4 (xenon tetrafluoride) has a square planar geometry, resulting from four equatorial fluorine atoms and two axial lone pairs of electrons around xenon. Lastly, BrF3 (bromine trifluoride) has a T-shaped geometry due to