Tutorial (Shapes of molecules)

1. Draw a Lewis structure for a hydronium ion. Indicate with arrows the different
dipoles present in the ion. Is a hydronium ion polar or non-polar? Explain
briefly. (4 marks)

 A hydronium ion is polar because the electrons is pulled towards the

central oxygen atom and the molecule has as trigonal pyramidal shape
 Furthermore, the molecules has a net positive charge, increasing its
polarity

2. Nitric acid (HNO3) is mainly used in the production of fertilizers but also has
application in other important areas such as the production of explosives,
purification and extraction of gold, and in chemical synthesis. (7 marks)
a) Draw the Lewis structure of a molecule of nitric acid, HNO3.
b) Describe the electron geometry and shape of the molecule around the
nitrogen atom.
c) What would be the values of the ONO bond angles for this molecule if
they had their “ideal” values.
d) Indicate which of the bond angles are larger or smaller than the ideal
values.

a)

b) Trigonal planar electron geometry and trigonal planar molecular shape

c) 120°
d)

Larger bond angle

Smaller bond angle

 3. Catechin is a common polyphenolic compounds in many plant including tea
(Camellia sinensis). The catechin molecule is made up of three rings as shown
below:

What are the molecular shapes of carbon atoms on the A, B and C ring? What
is the molecular shape of the different oxygen atoms? (4 marks)

 A ring: Trigonal planar

 B ring: Trigonal planar
 C ring: Tetraheral
 Oxygen atoms: Bent

4. What is the electron geometry and shape of a molecule with one lone pair and
four bonds? (2 marks)
 Electron geometry: Trigonal bipyramidal
 Molecular shape: Seesaw shape

5. What is the electron geometry and shape of a molecule with two lone pairs and
two bonds? (2 marks)
 Electron geometry: Tetrahedral
 Molecular shape: Bent

6. What is the electron geometry and shape of a molecule with one lone pair and
three bonds? (2 marks)
 Electron geometry: Tetrahedral
 Molecular shape: Trigonal pyramidal

7. Calculate the formal charges for the atoms in both structures and determine the
more prevalent structure: (5 marks)

Formal charge of atom

= No. of valence electrons − (no. of unshared valence electrons
+ ½ no. of shared valence electrons)