1. VSEPR Theory Section 3.3 – Part A Pg. 91-96 Objective:
1) Apply VSEPR theory to predict molecular shapes

2. Molecular Shapes
Stereochemistry – is the study of the 3-D spatial configuration of molecules and how this affects their reactions.
The shape of molecules is determined by the repulsion that happens between electron pairs
The theory behind molecular shapes is called VSEPR Theory (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion)
Solid = in plane of page Dashed = behind (away) Wedge = ahead (toward)

3. VSEPR General Rule: So how do we predict these molecular shapes?
Pairs of electrons in the valence shell of an atom stay as far apart as possible because of the repulsion of their negative charges
The type, number and direction of bonds to the central atom of a molecule determine the shape of the resulting molecule.
So how do we predict these molecular shapes?

4. Using VSEPR to Predict Molecular Shapes
We will be using the following compounds to analyze the 6 shapes possible
BeH2(s), BH3(g), CH4(g), NH3(g), H2O(l), HF(g)
To start, draw a Lewis formula for each of the molecules and then consider the arrangement of all pairs of valence electrons.
(Remember – all pairs of valence e-’s repel each other and want to get as far apart as possible)

5. Electron Pair Arrangement Stereochemical Formula
Shape #1 = Linear
Lewis Formula
Bond Pairs
Lone Pairs
Total Pairs
General Formula
Electron Pair Arrangement
Stereochemical Formula 2
AX2
linear
X – A – X Be
* A is the central atom; X is another atom
This Lewis formula indicates that BeH2(s) has two bonds and
no lone pairs on the central atom.
VSPER theory suggests that the two bond pairs will be farthest
apart by moving to opposite sides to a bond angle of 180°
This gives the molecule a linear orientation
*Exception* Beryllium does not follow OCTET RULE

6. Shape #2 = Trigonal Planar
Lewis Formula
Bond Pairs
Lone Pairs
Total Pairs
General Formula
Electron Pair Arrangement
Stereochemical Formula 3
AX3
trigonal planar B
* A is the central atom; X is another atom
This Lewis formula indicates that BH3(g) has three bonds and
no lone pairs on the central atom.
VSPER theory suggests that the three bond pairs will be farthest
apart by moving to a bond angle of 120° to each other.
This gives the molecule a trigonal planar orientation.
*Exception* - Boron Does not follow OCTET RULE

7. Practice F F F Draw the Lewis Formula for BF3 Trigonal Planar
Does not obey the octet rule F
Trigonal Planar F F

8. Electron Pair Arrangement Stereochemical Formula
Shape #3 =Tetrahedral
Lewis Formula
Bond Pairs
Lone Pairs
Total Pairs
General Formula
Electron Pair Arrangement
Stereochemical Formula 4
AX4
tetrahedral
* A is the central atom; X is another atom
This Lewis formula indicates that CH4(g) has four bonds
and no lone pairs on the central atom.
VSPER theory suggests that the four bond pairs will be
farthest apart by arranging in three dimensions so that
every bond makes an angle of 109.5° with each other.
This gives the molecule a tetrahedral orientation.

9. Practice
Draw the Lewis Formula for SiH4 H
Tetrahedral H H H

10. Shape #4 =Trigonal Pyramidal
Lewis Formula
Bond Pairs
Lone Pairs
Total Pairs
General Formula
Electron Pair Arrangement
Stereochemical Formula 3 1 4
AX3E
tetrahedral
Trigonal pyramidal
* A is the central atom; X is another atom, E is a lone pair of electrons
This Lewis formula indicates that NH3(g) has three bonds and
one lone pair on the central atom.
VSPER theory suggests that the four groups of e-’s should repel
each other to form a tetrahedral shape (bond angle = 109.5°)
But the lone pair is very repulsive, thus pushes the atoms more
to a 107.3° bond angle
This gives the molecule a trigonal pyramidal orientation.

11. Practice
Draw the Lewis Formula for PCl3 Cl Cl Cl
Trigonal pyramidal

12. Shape #5 =Angular (Bent)
Lewis Formula
Bond Pairs
Lone Pairs
Total Pairs
General Formula
Electron Pair Arrangement
Stereochemical Formula 2 4
AX2E2
tetrahedral
Angular
(Bent)
* A is the central atom; X is another atom, E is a lone pair of electrons
This Lewis formula indicates that H2O(l) has two bonds and
two lone pairs on the central atom.
VSPER theory suggests that the four groups of e-’s should repel
each other to form a tetrahedral shape (bond angle = 109.5°)
But the TWO lone pairs are very repulsive, thus pushes the atoms more to a 105° bond angle
This gives the molecule an angular (bent) orientation.

13. Practice
Draw the Lewis Formula for OCl2
Angular (bent)

14. Shape #6 =Linear (Tetrahedral)
Lewis Formula
Bond Pairs
Lone Pairs
Total Pairs
General Formula
Electron Pair Arrangement
Stereochemical Formula 1 3 4
AXE3
Linear
(Tetrahedral) H F
* A is the central atom; X is another atom, E is a lone pair of electrons
This Lewis formula indicates that H2O(l) has two bonds and
two lone pairs on the central atom.
VSPER theory suggests that the four groups of e-’s should repel
each other to form a tetrahedral shape (bond angle = 109.5°)
But since there are only two atoms with one covalent bond holding them together, by definition, the shape is linear, as is the shape of every other diatomic molecule.

15. Practice
Draw the Lewis Formula for HCl

16. Summary
VSEPR theory describes, explains, and predicts the geometry of molecules by counting pairs of electrons that repel each other to minimize repulsion. The process for predicting the shape of a molecule is summarized below:
Step 1: Draw the Lewis formula for the molecule, including the electron pairs around the central atom.
Step 2: Count the total number of bonding pairs (bonded atoms) and lone pairs of electrons around the central atom.
Step 3: Refer to Table 7, and use the number of pairs of electrons to predict the shape of the molecule.

17. Pg. 95

18. Practice
Draw the Lewis and stereochemical formulas for a sulfate ion, SO42- and predict the shape
See pg. 95
Draw the Lewis and stereochemical formulas for a chlorate ion, ClO3- and predict the shape
See pg. 96

19. Practice
Draw the Lewis Formula for PCl3

20. Multiple Bonds in VSEPR Models
It is important to remember that a double or triple bond is one bond, and to treat it as such, when predicting the VSEPR shapes of molecules.
Example: Predict the shape of C2H4(g)
Draw the Lewis formula for the molecule
Count the # of pairs of e-’s around the central carbon atoms.
The carbon atoms have 3 bonds (2 single, 1 double) and no lone pairs.
This is the same as a trigonal planar configuration.
Practice: Predict the shape for C2H2(g). H H H H
Answer: See pg. 97

21. Homework WB pg 25 Q 1 (only columns 2-4)
Extra Practice
Finish pg. 96 #1-3
Pg. 98 #6-7 (Multiple Bond Practice)
For 7 c, d, e - If there is more than one central atom involved, tell me the shape around each of the central atoms
Example:
Pg. 104 #1, 2, 3
#2: If there is more than one central atom involved, tell me the shape around each of the central atoms