Question 8.11: Indicate whether the molecules (a) CF2Br2 and (b) SiHFBrCl (......

Indicate whether the molecules (a) CF_{2}Br_{2} and (b) SiHFBrCl (the first atom listed is the central atom) can exhibit optical isomerism.

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(a) As predicted by VSEPR theory, the molecule CF_{2}Br_{2} is tetrahedral.

Because a CF_{2}Br_{2} molecule does not have four different kinds of atoms bonded to the central carbon atom, it cannot form optical isomers.

(b) As predicted by VSEPR theory, the molecule SiHFBrCl is tetrahedral:

Because each of the atoms bonded to the tetrahedral silicon center is different, the molecule exhibits optical isomerism. The two isomers are shown below.

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