Describe the molecular shape of BrF₃ on the basis of VSEPR theory.

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The central atom Br has seven electrons in the valence shell. Three of these will form electron-pair bonds with three fluorine atoms leaving behind four electrons. Thus, there are three bond pairs and two lone pairs. The hybridization sp^₃d. 



Fig.  Molecular shape of BrF₃

According to VSEPR theory, these will occupy the corners of a trigonal bipyramid. The two lone pairs will occupy the equatorial positions to minimise lone pair-lone pair and the bond pair-lone pair repulsions which are greater than the bond pair-bond pair repulsions. In addition, the axial fluorine atoms will be bent towards the equatorial fluorine in the order to minimise the lone pair-lone pair repulsions. The shape would be that of a slightly bent‘T’.