The structures of tef4 and tecl4 in the gas phase have been studied by electron diffraction.

a. would you expect the teix (axial) distances in these molecules to be longer or shorter than than teix (equatorial) distances? explain briefly.
b. which compound would you predict to have the smaller x(axial)iteix(axial) angles? the smaller x(equatorial)iteix(equatorial) angles? explain briefly

a)

From VSPER theory, the compound TeF₄ and TeCl₄ AX₄E type of models. Hence, the molecular geometry of this molecule is trigonal bipyramidal. The plausible structure of this molecule are shown on the first uploaded image

Looking at the image we see that  structure 1 has three lone pairs repulsion with 90° angle. From  VSPER theory, the repulsive force between the electron  pair is given as

lone pair - lone pair > lone pair - bond pair > bond pair - bond pair

The above shows that bond pair -bond pair has less repulsion than lone pair- bond pair, and next is lone pair - lone pair

This means that structure 2 is more stable structure for TeF₄ or TeCl₄ .,because the lone pair is present at equatorial position.

This stable structure is shown on the second uploaded image

A lone pair of electron occupy more space around the central atom than a bond pair electron that are present at axial positions, the two atoms that are present at axial position are tilt away from the lone pair

       We can see the structure on the third uploaded image

Due to the repulsive interaction , the bond distance between Te - X(axial) increases, which means that the Te - X(axial) distance is longer than  Te - X(equitorial)  distance.

b)

It is a general concept that TeX₄ ha a bond angle of 90° for axial position and  120° in between equitorial position. This is shown on the fourth uploaded image

Considering TeF₄ and TeCl₄ , F is more electro-negative element  Than Cl.This mean that the fluorine would pull strongly the  shared electron away from the Te which reduces the electron density near the central Te atom.This would result in decrease bond angle be TeCl₄

So , F(axial) - Te - F(axial) has smaller bond angle than Cl(axial) - Te - Cl(axial)

Considering the equitorial position we see that because of the highly electro - negative fluorine atom, the bond angle decrease much in  TeF₄ than in  TeCl₄

      This means that  F(equitorial) - Te - F(equitorial)  has smaller bond angle than Cl(equitorial) - Te - Cl(equitorial)