Valence electron configuration of Xe = 6s²6p⁶
In XeF2, xenon forms a sigma bond with each F atom through the 6s orbital. This leaves the Xe atom with 3 lone pairs of electrons (the 6 electrons in the 6p orbital). The molecular geometry of XeF2 is linear, however inclusion of the three lone pairs results in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry in which the central atom has a sp3d hybridization.
Ans: The hybrid orbital set used by the central atom in XeF2 is sp3d
