Molecular Structure Molecular Geometry
VSEPR theory Valence-Shell Electron-Pair Repulsion Theory: Because electron pairs repel, molecules adjust their shapes so that valence electron pairs are as far apart as possible
Vsepr continued… Types of electron pairs Bonding Pairs: Electrons that form bonds Lone (unshared) Pairs: Electrons that are nonbonding; no atom trying to bond. These are held closer to the atom they are associated with than bonding pairs. Lone Pairs Repel More Strongly Than Bonding Pairs!
Lone pair effects on bond angles In methane there are no lone pair electrons so in the tetrahedral shape the bond angles are the expected 109.50. In the ammonia molecule there is one lone pair. Since it has a stronger repulsion is closes the bond angle a little to 1070 In the water molecule there are 2 lone pairs each having greater repulsion causing the angle to close even more to 104.50 angle.
Determining Molecular Shape Draw the Lewis Diagram Count up electron pairs on central atom. double/triple bonds = ONE pair Shape is determined by the # of bonding pairs and lone pairs. Be Familiar With the Common Shapes & Their Bond Angles See p.10 in CRM
Common shape-Linear Beryllium Hydride 2 total electron pairs 2 bonding pairs 0 lone pairs Beryllium does not follow the octet rule. Beryllium is complete with 4 valence electrons Carbon dioxide Carbon does follow the octet rule fulfilling it through two double bonds in this case
Common shape-trigonal planar Boron Hydride 3 total electron pairs 3 bonding pairs 0 lone pairs Boron is also an exception to the octet rule. Boron is complete with 6 valence electrons Formaldehyde 4 total electron pairs 4 bonding pairs Carbon does follow the octet rule, which is fulfilled by the double bond.
Common Shape - Bent Ozone Generally O would have two bonding pairs which is seen by the upper O, the other two adjust so that all three can obey the octet rule Water 4 total pairs 2 bonding pairs 2 lone pair
Common shape-tetrahedral Methane 4 total pairs 4 bonding pairs 0 lone pairs
Common shape-trigonal pyramidal Ammonia 4 total pairs 3 bonding pairs 1 lone pair
Common shape- trigonal bipyramidal Phosphorous pentachloride 5 total pairs 5 bonding pairs 0 lone pairs
Common shape - octahedral Sulfur Hexafluoride 6 total pairs 6 bonding pairs 0 lone pairs
Molecular Structure Molecular Polarity
Dipole Moment Direction of the polar bond in a molecule Arrow points toward the more electronegative atom.
Determining Molecular polarity Depends on - dipole moments - molecular shape
Polar & Nonpolar molecules Nonpolar Molecules - dipole moments are symmetrical and cancel out Polar Molecules - dipole moments are asymmetrical and don’t cancel
Polar Molecules Therefore, polar molecules have… - asymmetrical shape (lone pairs) or - asymmetrical atoms