Polarity and Geometry of Bonds

A) Lewis Diagrams

Steps for writing electron-dot structures

1. Determine the total valance e’.

Each (-) negative charge add 1
Each (+) positive charge subtract 1
2. Determine the central atom (least electronegative). Place other atoms around it.
3. Place a single bond (2 e’) between all atoms.
4. Subtract the bonding e’ from total.
5. Full fill octects of all atoms with remaining e’. Recount to make sure.
6. Hints:
a) H is always terminal.
b) Assume the corresponding number of bonds for each group.
c) C makes 4 bonds.
d) Are exceptions:
1. Free radicals. Ex NO, NO2, ClO2, unpaired e' ,Cl.

2. Too few e'.

a. Boron can have 6e'. BF3
b. Be has 4e' Ex BeF2.
c. Too many e', P= 10e', S = 12e', EX. PCl5, SF6
 O + H H O H
H

l
C
C + Cl
l
C C l
C

l
C l
C

l
C

l
C

Can have multiple bonds

Ex. 1

SO3

O
1. S 3.
O S O

4. 24 - 6 = 18
2. 4 x 6 = 24

O
5.
O S O
Ex. 2
PBr3
Br

P1x5=5 P
Br 3 x 7 = 21 Br Br
26 e'

Ex. 3 For Charged species add an e’ or take one away from total.
NO2-

O
N 2-

O
1. N 3.
N O

4. 18 - 4 = 14
2. 2 x 6 = 12
1x5=5
+1 -1
18 e' O
5.
N O

Ex. 4
SO2
18 valance e’

O S O

Ex. 5
C2H4
B) VSESPR- valence shell electron repulsion theory.
Electron pairs repel each and try to achieve a geometry that makes lone pairs and
atoms as far away from each other as possible.

Group = lone pair of e’ or an atom.

Need at least three atoms to define an angle. All two atom compounds or linear.

1) 2 groups Example Electronic Molecular

Geometry Geometry
2 atoms linear linear
O C O

2) 3 groups
3 atoms 1- trigonal Trigonal
O
C Planar Planar
O O

2 atoms 1- trigonal bent

O
1 lone pair N Planar
O

3) 4 groups
4 atoms H tetrahedral tetrahedral
H C H
H

3 atoms tetrahedral pyramidal

N
1 lone pair H H
H

2 atoms tetrahedral bent

O
2 lone pairs H H
Examples:

1)
H O
N C H
H C O
H H

atomm N1 C2 C3 O4
Electronic tetrahedral tetrahedral Trigonal planar tetrahedral
Geometry
Molecular pyramidal tetrahedral Bent
Geometry

C) Polarity of Molecules-
Polar molecule has;
a) An un-symmetrical of the electron cloud.
b) A net diploe moment.
c) Will align itself in the presence of an electrical field.

To determine polarity must know geometry which is based on the Lewis Dot
Structure.

Examples Others, H2Be, NH3,

1) HCl Polar
 H Cl

δ+ δ-

2) CO2 Not polar

O C O

3) H2O Polar

δ-

O
H H
δ+ δ+

4) CBrH3 Polar

Br
H C H
H

5) BF3 Non-polar

F
B
F F