in the geometry of ClF₃ which is T shaped why are the 2 lone pair of electrons not placed at axial position

There are three possible structures of ClF₃

(i) When lone pairs on equatorial positions

(ii) When one lone pair on axial and one lone pair on equatorial position

(iii) When two lone pairs on axial positions

Structure (i) is most stable because it has minimum lp – lp repulsion (compared to( ii) and minimum lp – bp repulsions (compared to( iii).

Since structure (i) is most stable structure of ClF₃, Due to this reason the 2 lone pair of electrons not placed at axial position