Las 7

MOLECULAR GEOMETRY
Molecular geometry, also known as the molecular structure, is the three-dimensional structure or arrangement
of atoms in a molecule. Understanding the molecular structure of a compound can help determine the polarity,
reactivity, phase of matter, color, magnetism, as well as the biological activity. With the Lewis structure, we apply the
valence-shell electron-pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory to determine the molecular geometry and the electron-group
geometry.
The valence-shell electron-pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory states that electron pairs repel each other whether
or not they are in bond pairs or in lone pairs. Thus, electron pairs will spread themselves as far from each other as
possible to minimize repulsion. VSEPR focuses not only on electron pairs, but it also focuses on electron groups as a
whole. An electron group can be an electron pair, a lone pair, a single unpaired electron, a double bond or a triple bond
on the center atom. Using the VSEPR theory, the electron bond pairs and lone pairs on the center atom will help us
predict the shape of a molecule.
VSEPR Notation
As stated above, molecular geometry and electron-group geometry are the same when there are no lone pairs. The
VSEPR notation for these molecules are AXn. "A" represents the central atom and n represents the number of bonds
with the central atom. When lone pairs are present, the letter Ex is added. The x represents the number of lone pairs
present in the molecule. For example, a molecule with two bond pairs and two lone pairs would have this notation:
AX2E2.
GEOMETRY OF MOLECULES CHART

Number Electron-Group Number VSEPR Molecular Geometry Ideal Bond Examples
of Geometry of Lone Notation Angles
Electron Pairs
Groups
2 Linear 0 AX2 180° BeH2
3 Trigonal planar 0 AX3 Trigonal planar 120° CO32-
1 AX2E 120° O3
4 Tetrahedral 0 AX4 109.5° S042-
Tetrahedral
1 AX3E 109.5° H 3O +
2 AX2E2 109.5° H 2O
5 Trigonal 0 AX5 90°, 120° PF5

bipyramidal
1 AX4E2 90°, 120° TeCl4
2 AX3E2 90° ClF3
3 AX2E3 180° I 3-
6 Octahedral 0 AX6 90° PF6-
Octahedral
1 AX5E 90° SbCl52-
2 AX4E2 90° ICl4-
Square planar
How do we apply the VSEPR theory to predict molecular geometry?

The key ideas of the VSEPR theory are:
1. Electron pairs stay as far apart from each other as possible to minimize repulsions.
2. Molecular shape is determined by the number of bond pairs and lone pairs around the central atom.
3. Treat multiple bonds as if they were single bonds (in making the prediction).
4. Lone pairs occupy more volume than bond pairs. Lone pair-lone pair repulsions are greater than lone pair-bond pair
repulsions which in turn are greater than bond pair-bond pair repulsions.
POLARITY OF SIMPLE COMPOUNDS

Molecules are classified as polar or nonpolar depending on the polarity of the individual bonds and the
overall shape or geometry of the molecule. Polarity is the result of one atom being more electronegative than the
other. In a covalent bond, the resulting molecule is polarized and has positive and negative poles. This happens
when there is electron sharing. However, instead of sharing the electrons equally, the more electronegative atom
attracts the electrons toward itself. If the bond were shared equally, then you have a nonpolar bond. This type of
bond is found in diatomic molecules or compounds that are composed of only one element. If the bond is unevenly
distributed, then it is a polar bond. Since the polarity is influenced by electronegativity, then the difference in
electronegativity between the combined atoms can predict what type of bond will be formed.
Electronegativity is an atom’s tendency to attract electrons during a chemical bond. In general, the
electronegativity values increase across the periodic table from left to right and bottom to top. The bond is polar if
the difference is between 0.4 and 1.8. If the difference is less than 0.4, the bond is nonpolar.
However, there are instances that the polar bonds do not form a polar molecule. This has something to do
with the arrangement of the bonds in the molecule. Symmetry is when the outside atoms are evenly distributed
around the central atom. If the structure is symmetrical, then it makes a nonpolar molecule. Nonpolar molecules
do not have positive or negative ends and their dipole moments add up to zero (cancel out). If the structure is
asymmetrical, then it can be considered as a polar molecule. Polar molecules have dipoles and their dipole
moments do not add up to zero (do not cancel out). There are certain molecular geometries which are symmetric
which means they will have no dipole even if the bonds are polar. These includes linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral,
octahedral, and trigonal bipyramid.
Steps in Determining the Polarity of a Molecule

1. Draw the correct Lewis structure and molecular geometry of the molecule.
2. Identify the polarity of each bond present in the molecule. A bond is polar when the atoms in the bond have
different electronegativities. Recall that electronegativity is the measure of the tendency of an atom to attract
a bonding pair of electrons. (You may use the periodic table to determine the electronegativity values of the
atoms.)
3. Draw the dipole moment vectors for polar bonds. The dipole moment vector points to the more electronegative
atom.
4. Determine the sum of the dipole moment vectors. If the dipole moments cancel out each other, the molecule is
nonpolar; otherwise, it is polar.

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MOLECULAR GEOMETRY

GEOMETRY OF MOLECULES CHART

3 Trigonal planar 0 AX3 Trigonal planar 120° CO32-

4 Tetrahedral 0 AX4 109.5° S042-

5 Trigonal 0 AX5 90°, 120° PF5

1 AX4E2 90°, 120° TeCl4

2 AX3E2 90° ClF3

6 Octahedral 0 AX6 90° PF6-

2 AX4E2 90° ICl4-

How do we apply the VSEPR theory to predict molecular geometry?

POLARITY OF SIMPLE COMPOUNDS

Steps in Determining the Polarity of a Molecule

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