VSEPR

By Varsha and Naseebah

Introduction

■ VSEPR stands for Valence, Shell, Electron, Pair, Repulsion

■ The VSEPR theory was suggested by Sidwick and Powel in 1940.
■ It was then later developed by Gilllespe and Nyholm in 1957
 VSEPR theory
■ The VSEPR model can predict the structure of nearly any molecule or polyatomic ion.
■ According to VSEPR theory, the shape of a molecule is related to the organization of the central atom's valence shell
electrons.
■ The valence shell electrons are all negatively charged and therefore are constantly repelling each other.
■ This repulsion is what gives a molecule its three-dimensional shape. Both bonding and nonbonding electrons are involved in
repulsion.
■ The VSEPR model assumes that electron pairs in the valence shell of a central atom will adopt an arrangement that
minimizes repulsions between these electron pairs by maximizing the distance between them.
■ One limitation is that it fails to predict the shapes of isoelectronic species and transition metal compounds.
■ Another limitation is it fails to justify the shape of group 2 halides as according to this theory they have a linear shape b ut
they have bent shape.
Applying VSEPR Theory

■ VSEPR theory can be used to predict the structure of

molecules. For example:
■ The structure of CO2 shows only two electron groups
around the central carbon atom.
■ With two bonding groups and no lone pairs of electrons
on the central atom, the bonds are as far apart as
possible,
■ Reducing electrostatic repulsion between these regions
of high electron density.
■ The bond angle is 180°.
 MOLECULAR SHAPES FOR
MOLECULES WITH ONLY PAIRED
ELECTRONS
Next, we are going to look at a few shapes for
molecules with only paired electrons.
LINEAR
■ Two atoms attached to the center
atom
■ No lone pairs

■ Bond angle = 180

■ Example = BeF2 (Beryllium fluoride)
Trigonal
planar
■ 3 atoms attached to
centre atom
■ 0 lone pairs

■ Example- AIF3
(Aluminium Floride)
TETRAHEDRAL
■ 4 atoms attached to the center
atom
■ Has zero lone pairs

■ Bond angle = 109.5

■ Example = CH₄ (methane)
Trigonal
bipyramidal
■ 5 atoms attached to
centre atom
■ 0 lone pairs
■ Example- PF5
(Phosphorus
pentafluoride)
■ Bipyramidal-
symmetrical structure
consisting of two
pyramids
OCTRAHEDRAL
▪ 6 atoms attached to the centre atom
▪ 0 lone pairs

▪ Bond angle = 90

•Example = ( sulfur hexafluoride)SF6

 MOLECULAR SHAPES FOR
MOLECULES WITH PAIRED AND
UNPAIRED ELECTRONS
Next, we are going to look at shapes with unpaired
and paired electrons
Bent

■ 2 atoms attached to
centre atom
■ 2 lone pairs

■ Bond angle- 90
■ Example- H20 (water)
TRIGONAL PYRAMID
▪ 3 atoms attached to the centre atom
▪ 1 lone pair

▪ Bond angle = 107

▪ Example = (ammonia ) NH3

THANK YOU FOR
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