Which of the following molecules has a planar structure?

Solution

1. The central atom $\text{Xe}$ in ${\text{XeF}}_4$ has $8$ valence electrons.
2. It forms $4$ bonds with $\text{F}$ and has $2$ lone pairs, resulting in ${\text{sp}}^3{\text{d}}^2$ hybridization.
3. The lone pairs occupy axial positions to minimize repulsion, resulting in a square planar geometry.
4. Hence the answer is (A).