The molecular geometry of AsF5 (arsenic pentafluoride) is trigonal bipyramidal.
In this molecule, arsenic (As) is the central atom, surrounded by five fluorine (F) atoms. The arrangement of these atoms can be understood through VSEPR theory (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory), which suggests that molecules will adjust their shapes to minimize the repulsion between electron pairs.
In AsF5, there are no lone pairs on the arsenic atom, and the five fluorine atoms are positioned in a way that three of them are in a plane (equatorial positions) while the other two are positioned above and below this plane (axial positions). This configuration allows for a bond angle of 120 degrees for the equatorial fluorine atoms and 90 degrees for the axial fluorine atoms with respect to the equatorial plane.
This distinctive geometry not only assists in determining the spatial arrangement of atoms within the molecule but also affects its physical and chemical properties, such as dipole moment and reactivity.