Question

would you expect the compound BrF5 soluble or not soluble in water? explain your answer in terms of polarity.

Answer 1

Well, first of all, the Br in BrF5 is an absurdly high oxidation state, so BrF5 is an extremely powerful oxidizer, so much so that it will promptly oxidize water to O2 evolving much heat. According to its MSDS, BrF5 reacts explosively with water, and should be kept far away from it if you want to live to graduate.

But leaving that aside, sure, theoretically it ought to be soluble, since the structure is square pyramidal, i.e. unsymmetric, and the F is more electronegative than the Br. So the end with an extra F should be a little negative and the other end a little positive. This dipole moment will have favorable interactions with the polar H2O molecule...er, that is, if the two molecules weren't violently ripping teach other to shreds.