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Shapes of Molecules: VSEPR Theory

The document discusses VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory for predicting the shape of molecules based on the number of electron domains around a central atom. It explains that electron pairs repel each other and will position themselves as far apart as possible. Molecular geometry is determined by counting bonded and non-bonded electron pairs, with double and triple bonds counting as one domain. Common molecular geometries include linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, and octahedral depending on the number of electron domains. Lone pairs require more space than shared pairs and influence the molecular shape.

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108 views17 pages

Shapes of Molecules: VSEPR Theory

The document discusses VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory for predicting the shape of molecules based on the number of electron domains around a central atom. It explains that electron pairs repel each other and will position themselves as far apart as possible. Molecular geometry is determined by counting bonded and non-bonded electron pairs, with double and triple bonds counting as one domain. Common molecular geometries include linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, and octahedral depending on the number of electron domains. Lone pairs require more space than shared pairs and influence the molecular shape.

Uploaded by

ANAS
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Shapes of Molecules

VSEPR Theory
electron pair geometry
molecular geometry
molecules with more than one central
atom
molecules with multiple bonds
Dipole moment = Qr

Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 1


Shapes of Molecules

Molecular shape: spatial arrangement of atoms


Valence-Shell Electron-Pair Repulsion
VSEPR model
Predict the shape of the molecule, from Lewis
structures.

Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 2


Shapes of Molecules
VSEPR Concept 1
Electron pairs around a central atom repel each other. They must
stay near the nucleus, but otherwise, they will stay as far away
from each other as possible.

# of electron arrangement of Example


domains electron pairs
2
3
4
5
6
Describes: electron pair geometry
(See Table 9.1)

Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 3


Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 4
How to determine the shape of a molecule
1. Draw the Lewis structure of the molecule.

2. Determine the electron-pair geometry (count


electron domains: double and triple bonds
counted as one domain!).

3. Focus on bonded-electron pairs ONLY to determine


the molecular geometry (MG)

Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 5


Molecules with 4 electron domains
Electron-pair geometry will be tetrahedral
(angles near 109.5)
# of bonded placement of
atoms bonded atoms example

4
3
2
1

Placement of bonded atoms determines the Molecular


Geometry
Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 6
VSEPR Concept 2

Add a refinement:

Unshared electron pairs


lone pairs need more
space than shared pairs.

Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 7


VSEPR Concept 2

Consequences of VSEPR CONCEPT 2

H C N O
H H
H H
109.5 o H o H H
107 104.5o

tetrahedral trigonal bent


pyramidal

Multiple bonds repel like


lone pairs.

Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 8


Molecules with 2 electron domains
Electron-pair geometry will be linear (angles 180o)
MG: Linear structures (bond angles 180o)

o o
180 180

Cl Be Cl
O C O

Molecules with 3 electron domains


Electron-pair geometry will be trigonal planar (angles near 120o).
MG: Trigonal planar structures for three bonded atoms.
MG: Bent structures for two bonded atoms)
120o O 124o
F
O
B C O O
F F Cl Cl

117o
111o

Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 9


Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 10
Molecules with 5 electron domains
Electron-pair geometry will be trigonal bipyramid
(angles near 180o,120o or 90o)
# of bonded MG
atoms (shape) example
5
4
3
2

2 types of sites:
axial 90 (to equatorial)
180 (to axial)
equatorial 120 (to equatorial)

Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 11


Trigonal bipyramid

F 89o
F F
116o S 186o Br F
F
F F

seesaw T-shaped

Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 12


Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 13
Molecules with 6 electron domains
Electron-pair geometry will be octahedral
(angles near 180o, or 90o)

# of bonded MG
atoms (shape) example
6
5
4

5 bonded atoms: where does lone pair go?


All sites are equivalent.

4 bonded atoms:
Where does the second lone pair go?

Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 14


Molecules with 6 electron domains
Electron-pair geometry will be octahedral
(angles near 180o, or 90o)

82o square
F pyramidal
F Xe F
F I F
F F F F

square planar square pyramidal


Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 15
Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 16
Molecular Shapes: Summary
Number of Number of Molecular geometry Example
electron bonded atoms
domains

2 2 linear CO2
3 3 trigonal planar BF3
3 2 bent O3
4 4 tetrahedral CH4
4 3 trigonal pyramidal NH3
4 2 bent H 2O
5 5 trigonal bipyramidal PCl5

5 4 seesaw SF4
5 3 T-shaped BrF3
5 2 linear XeF2
6 6 octahedral SF6
6 5 square pyramidal BrF5
6 4 square planar XeF4
Mary J. Bojan Chem 110 17

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