Hexafluoroantimonate ion Lewis Structure

Hexafluoroantimonate ion Lewis Structure: F₆Sb^- Lewis Structure, octahedral Geometry, sp3d2 Hybridization & Polarity

Hexafluoroantimonate ion Key Facts

The Hexafluoroantimonate ion Lewis structure is Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond and Sb–F single bond; the central Sb has 6 electron domains (0 lone pairs), giving a octahedral electron-domain arrangement and a octahedral molecular geometry with a 90° bond angle. Sb is best described as sp3d2-hybridized, and Hexafluoroantimonate ion is nonpolar because the bond dipoles cancel by molecular symmetry.

Figure 1: Lewis Structure of Hexafluoroantimonate ion (F₆Sb^-)

Chemical Formula	F₆Sb^-
CAS Number	16950-41-5
Net Charge	-1
Total Valence Electrons	48
Lewis Structure	Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond and Sb–F single bond
Electron-Domain Geometry	octahedral
Molecular Geometry	octahedral
Hybridization Model	sp3d2 (central Sb)
Bond Angle	90°
Polarity	Nonpolar molecule

PubChem (CID 3868826) and NIST list Hexafluoroantimonate ion as F ₆Sb ^- with CAS 16950-41-5; molecular weight ≈ 235.750 g/mol. View CAS 16950-41-5 dictionary details on Guidechem →

Applications of Hexafluoroantimonate ion (CAS 16950-41-5)

In aqueous and process chemistry, F₆Sb^- exists as the anion Hexafluoroantimonate ion ion. It is encountered as a counterion and a controlled source of Sb in salts, buffers, electrochemistry and analytical protocols, and as a reactant in syntheses that require a defined equivalent of Sb-containing material.

Ion Source / Counterion Supplied as salts and solutions; specify hydration, counter-cation and concentration.

Analytical & Electrochemical Used in titrations, plating baths and ionic-strength control where the ion is the active species.

Synthesis Reagent A controlled source of Sb in precipitation, complexation and redox procedures.

Procurement Note "Hexafluoroantimonate ion" is supplied in multiple commercial grades and package sizes. Specify purity, grade, moisture/impurity limits, package (cylinder, drum or bulk) and intended process, and use CAS 16950-41-5 as the primary identifier when screening suppliers; always confirm regional availability and safety documentation (SDS).

Step 1 - Valence Electrons & Central Atom

To draw the Hexafluoroantimonate ion Lewis structure we first count the total valence electrons. F₆Sb^- contains 6×7 (F) + 5 (Sb) − 1 (net anion); the net charge of -1 gives a total of 48 valence electrons to place.

The central atom is Sb. It is the least electronegative atom capable of forming multiple bonds and is surrounded by the more electronegative terminal atom(s); hydrogen, when present, always occupies a terminal position. Electronegativity considerations place the electron density toward the terminal atom(s).

Valence-electron count

Total valence electrons = 6×7 (F) + 5 (Sb) − 1 (net anion) = 48 electrons.

Step 2 - Lewis Structure & Electron Distribution

Place Sb at the center and connect each surrounding atom with a single bond, complete octets on the terminal atoms, and place any remaining electrons on the central atom. The resulting electron distribution is: Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond and Sb–F single bond; no lone pairs on Sb.

Counting bonding and nonbonding electrons around Sb therefore satisfies the octet/expanded-octet requirement for the drawn structure.

Sb–F Sb–F Sb–F Sb–F Sb–F Sb–F

Sb: 0 lone pairs, 6 bonding domains

6 bonding domains + 0 lone pairs = 6 electron domains

Expanded Octet: d-Orbital Participation Central Sb belongs to period 3 or below, so it can accommodate more than eight electrons: low-lying d orbitals become available and the octahedral arrangement with 6 domains reflects this expanded valence shell. The octet rule alone does not apply to such hypervalent species.

Step 3 - VSEPR Theory & Geometry

VSEPR theory states that the 6 electron domains around Sb arrange to minimize mutual repulsion, giving an octahedral electron-domain geometry.

Because 0 of these domains are lone pair(s) — and lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs — the observed molecular geometry is octahedral; the Sb bond angle is set to 90° rather than the ideal value for the electron-domain geometry.

Repulsion hierarchy

A useful VSEPR approximation is: lone pair–lone pair repulsion > lone pair–bonding pair repulsion > bonding pair–bonding pair repulsion. With 0 lone pair(s) on Sb, the lone-pair domains occupy positions that minimize overall repulsion while pushing the bonding domains (and therefore the bonded atoms) closer together.

Hybridization & Formal Charge

In the conventional localized-bond model, Sb uses sp3d2 hybrid orbitals to form the 6 equivalent electron-domain directions (6 bonding + 0 lone pair).

Formal-charge check

Formal charge on central Sb = V − N − ½B = 5 − 0 − ½×12 = -1. The nonzero formal charge is distributed by resonance / charge separation; the drawn structure is the lowest-energy contributor.

Modeling Note Modeling Note: sp3d2 / sp3d2 hybridization is a convenient localized-bond teaching model. Modern quantum-chemical descriptions of hypervalent Hexafluoroantimonate ion use molecular orbitals and do not require populated d orbitals as the primary bonding picture.

Is Hexafluoroantimonate ion Polar or Nonpolar?

Hexafluoroantimonate ion is nonpolar. Although individual Sb–terminal bonds are polar when the atoms differ in electronegativity, the octahedral geometry makes their vector sum zero, so there is no net molecular dipole.

Expert Quote — Structural Chemistry Perspective

A common misconception is that polar bonds guarantee a polar molecule. Hexafluoroantimonate ion shows the opposite: identical bond dipoles arranged with octahedral symmetry cancel exactly, yielding a nonpolar species.

Interpretation consistent with standard VSEPR / molecular-geometry references.

Its nonpolar character governs solvation and intermolecular behavior; specify grade and handling when sourcing.

Structural Comparison Table

Species	Formula	Central Atom	Electron Domains	Molecular Geometry	Polarity
Hexafluoroantimonate ion	F₆Sb^-	Sb	6	octahedral	Nonpolar
Carbon dioxide	CO₂	C	2	linear	Nonpolar
Carbon monoxide	CO	C	2	linear (diatomic)	Polar
Carbon disulfide	CS₂	C	2	linear	Nonpolar

Practice question Starting from the 48 valence electrons of F₆Sb^-, draw the Lewis structure and confirm the central Sb atom is sp3d2-hybridized with octahedral geometry. What happens to the bond angle if one terminal atom is replaced by a more electronegative substituent?

Looking for industrial bulk or specified-grade supplies of Hexafluoroantimonate ion (CAS 16950-41-5)? Browse Supplier on Guidechem →

FAQs

Is F₆Sb^- polar or nonpolar?

Hexafluoroantimonate ion is nonpolar. Its octahedral symmetry cancels the bond dipoles exactly.

What is the Lewis structure of Hexafluoroantimonate ion?

Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond, Sb–F single bond and Sb–F single bond; no lone pairs on Sb. It uses all 48 valence electrons and the preferred structure carries a formal charge of -1 on the central atom.

What is the bond angle in Hexafluoroantimonate ion?

The Sb angle is about 90°. Lone-pair repulsion compresses the angle from the ideal octahedral value.

What is the hybridization of Sb in Hexafluoroantimonate ion?

The conventional model is sp3d2. Hexafluoroantimonate ion has 6 electron domains around the central Sb.

What is the CAS number of Hexafluoroantimonate ion?

The CAS number is 16950-41-5. PubChem (CID 3868826) and NIST identify this with F₆Sb^-; use it to locate suppliers and database records.

References

PubChem CID 3868826, Hexafluoroantimonate ion. Molecular formula, CAS number, molecular weight and chemical identity.
NIST Chemistry WebBook, SRD 69, Hexafluoroantimonate ion. Formula, CAS Registry Number and thermochemical / spectroscopic data.
IUPAC Gold Book. Definitions for "lone pair", "VSEPR", "hybridization" and "formal charge".
Atkins, P. & de Paula, J., Physical Chemistry. VSEPR, molecular geometry and dipole moments.
Guidechem supplier & dictionary records. Commercial sourcing and CAS-linked property pages for Hexafluoroantimonate ion (CAS 16950-41-5).

Technical scope: Lewis structures, VSEPR and hybridization are model-based descriptions for chemical communication and structure prediction; actual molecular electronic structure is more accurately represented by molecular-orbital and quantum-chemical methods. Commercial grades vary substantially by supplier and intended use; CAS 16950-41-5 identifies the substance, not a universal purity specification.

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Hexafluoroantimonate ion Lewis Structure

Hexafluoroantimonate ion Lewis Structure