Analytical Chemistry

Liam Magrath pg. 1

DETERMINING MOLECULAR SHAPE
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion
theory

Bonding Electrons: Electrons which exist by themselves
Lone Pairs: Paired electrons


How is shape determined?
1) Determine which atom has the most number of bonding electrons

2) Distribute the rest of the atoms in the molecule symmetrically around the
atom with the most number of bonding elections

3) Distribute the electrons in the molecule ensuring each atom has a full outer-
shell.