Molecular Structure

Molecular
Geometry
(VSEPR)
I II III
 YouTube
Video on VSPER Theory
 Learning Objectives

 TLW predict molecular structure for

molecules using Valence Shell Electron
Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory (TEKS
7.E)
A. VSEPR Theory
1. Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory
gives us a three-dimensional picture of atomic
bonding that the Electron Dot Structure does not.

2. Electron pairs orient themselves in order to

minimize repulsive forces.
 VSEPR:
3. Predicts three dimensional
geometry of molecules.
4. The name tells you the theory:
5. Valence shell - outside electrons.
6. Electron Pair repulsion - electron
pairs try to get as far away as
possible.
7. Can determine the angles of bonds.
A. VSEPR Theory
Types of e- Pairs
1. Bonding pairs - form bonds
2. Lone pairs - nonbonding e-

Lone pairs repel

more strongly than
bonding pairs!!!
A. VSEPR Theory
 Lone pairs reduce the bond angle
between atoms.

Bond Angle
B. Determining Molecular Shape
1. Draw the Lewis Diagram.
2. Tally up e- pairs on central atom.
a. double/triple bonds = ONE pair
3. Shape is determined by the # of bonding pairs
and lone pairs.

Know the 3 most common shapes

& their bond angles!
C. Common Molecular Shapes 1

2 total
2 bond
0 lone

LINEAR
BeH2 180°
Examples
 CO2

2 total O C O
2 bond
LINEAR
0 lone
180°
C. Common Molecular Shapes 2

3 total
2 bond
1 lone

SO2 BENT
<120°
C. Common Molecular Shapes 3

3 total
3 bond
0 lone

BF3
TRIGONAL PLANAR
120°
C. Common Molecular Shapes 4

4 total
4 bond
0 lone

CH4 TETRAHEDRAL
109.5°
C. Common Molecular Shapes 5

4 total
3 bond
1 lone

NH3
TRIGONAL PYRAMIDAL
107°
Examples
 PF3

4 total F P F
3 bond
1 lone
F
TRIGONAL
PYRAMIDAL
107°
C. Common Molecular Shapes 6

4 total
2 bond
2 lone

H2O BENT
104.5°
C. Common Molecular Shapes 7

5 total
5 bond
0 lone

TRIGONAL
PCl5 BIPYRAMIDAL
120°/90°
C. Common Molecular Shapes 8

6 total
6 bond
0 lone

SF6 OCTAHEDRAL
90°
Examples
 linear: BeH2, CO2, MgF2, I3
 bent (angular): SO2, H2O, H2S, SF2
 square planar: XeF4, IF4-
 trigonal planar: SO3, BF3
 square pyramidal: IF5, BrF5
 trigonal pyramidal: NH3, PF3, AsCl3
 trigonal bipyramidal: PF5, PCl5, AsF5
 tetrahedral: CH4, CF4, SO42-
 octahedral: SF6, PF6-, SiF62-
 seesaw: SF4
 T-shaped: ClF3
D. Orbital Hybridization
 VSEPR Theory works well when
accounting for molecular shapes, but
doesn’t help describing the types of
bonds formed.
 In hybridization, several atomic
orbitals mix to form the same total
number of equivalent hybrid orbitals
 YouTube video
D. Orbital Hybridization
 For Example ~ Methane (CH4)
 C = 1s22s22p2
 H = 1s1 (and there are four H
atoms)
 C re-configures its one 2s and
three 2p orbitals into four sp3
orbitals, which overlap the 1s
orbitals of the 4 hydrogen atoms
 Group Practice
 Molecular Geometry Construction
Game Revisited
E. One Other Note on Bonding
 Electronegativity determines bonding
which contributes to the bond angle
 Greater than 1.7  ionic bonds
 0.3 – 1.7  polar covalent bonds
 0 – 0.3  covalent

See handout for trends through

periodic table
Electronegativities
• Greater than 1.7  ionic bonds
• 0.3 – 1.7  polar covalent bonds
• 0 – 0.3  covalent
 Independent Practice
 Building 3-D Examples of Molecular
Geometry
 VSEPR Marshmellow Lab
 VSEPR Exercise – 2