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Molecular Shapes
VSEPR Theory
Molecular Shape
• Molecular shape or molecular geometry
is the three-dimensional arrangement of
the atoms in a molecule.
Molecular Shape
• Molecular shape determines several
properties of a substance including:
– reactivity
– polarity
– phase of matter
– color
– magnetism
– biological activity
Olfaction – sense of smell
• Lock-and-Key Theory: humans can
smell various odors because each three-
dimensional odor molecule fits into only
one type of receptor.
Gustation – the sense of taste
• Taste receptors are
located on the tongue
and are sensitive to four
major tastes: salty,
sweet, sour and bitter.
• Taste receptors respond
differentially to the
varying shapes of food
and liquid molecules.
H2 2(1) = 2e-
H H
Any 2 atoms
linear
What about molecules consisting of
more than two atoms
•• 2/2
H S
••
H angular
H2S
• Dihydrogen monosulfide is commonly known as
sewer gas. This colorless, toxic and flammable
gas is responsible for the foul odor of rotten eggs.
S
H H
Methane (CH4)
4 + 4(1) = 8e-
Methane (CH4)
4 + 4(1) = 8e-
Tetrahedral shape
Methane (CH4)
4 + 4(1) = 8e-
Tetrahedral shape
HCN 1+4+5 = 10e-
•• ••
••
H C•• N••
HCN 1+4+5 = 10e-
•• ••
••
H C•• N••
HCN 1+4+5 = 10e-
•• ••
••
H C•• N••
HCN 1+4+5 = 10e-
•• ••
H C N••
HCN 1+4+5 = 10e-
•• ••
H C N••
HCN 1+4+5 = 10e-
••
H C N
2/0
linear
H2S
S
H H
2/2
angular
SO2 6+2(6) = 18e-
•• •• ••
•• ••
O
••
S•• O
••
SO2 6+2(6) = 18e-
•• •• ••
•• ••
O
••
S•• O
••
SO2 6+2(6) = 18e-
•• •• ••
•• ••
O
••
S•• O
••
2/1
angular
CH4
4/0
tetrahedral
NO3- 5+3(6)+1 = 24e-
•• •• ••
•• ••
O
••
N O
••
••
••
O
••
NO3- 5+3(6)+1 = 24e-
•• •• ••
•• ••
O
••
N O
••
••
••
O
••
NO3- 5+3(6)+1 = 24e-
•• •• ••
•• ••
O
••
N O
••
••
••
O
••
NO3- 5+3(6)+1 = 24e-
[
••
••
O
••
N O
••
]
••
- ••
••
••
O 3/0
trigonal
planer
SOCl2
SOCl2
Draw the Lewis structure
for an acetate ion?
Draw the Lewis structure
for an acetate ion?
What’s the shape of acetate?
4/0 3/0
tetrahedral trigonal
planer
Homework
Worksheet Chapter 13.
Study Guide Chapters 12 – 14 (due by the
end of the week).