1. Molecular Geometry VSEPR Theory
Section 12.3

2. VSEPR Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion
Electron pairs around central atom arrange themselves to be far apart as geometrically possible.
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3. Linear
2 things
Bond Angle = 180o
Ex: CO2
180o 3

4. Trigonal Planar
3 things
Bond Angle = 120 
Ex: BCl3
120o

5. Tetrahedral
4 things
Bond Angle = 
Ex: CH4 H C
109.5o

6. Unshared e-
Unshared pairs of electrons are extremely close to the central atom compared to atoms forming bonds
All the “things” are in the same orientation around central atom, but the only “things” we see in the molecule are the atoms forming bonds

7. Unshared e- (continued)
For example: NH3
Draw the electron dot structure
Determine how many “things” and also the shape based on “things”? H N
107o

8. Unshared e- (continued)
Therefore with NH3 we expect to see this because it has four things:
But one of these spheres would be replaced by a pair of e- REALLY close to the central atom, so we actually see this:

9. Trigonal bipyramidal 5 things = trigonal bipyramidal
Bond angles: (90, 120, 180)
Ex.: SF5

10. Octahedral
6 things
Bond angles: (90 , 180)
Ex.:PF6

11. Steps: Draw electron dot or Lewis structure for molecule/ion.
Count “things” around central atom.
bonds (single, double, or triple each just count as one)
non-bonding pairs (aka unshared pairs, lone pairs)
These “things” are more technically called “regions of electron density”

12. Steps cont.: Name the arrangement (5 possibilities) Things Arrangement
2 linear
3 trigonal planar
4 tetrahedral
5 trigonal bipyramidal
6 octahedral

13. Steps cont.:
a. If the central atom has no unshared pairs, this is the name of the geometry.
Ex: CH4 has 4 “things” so its tetrahedral
b. If the central atom has unshared pairs, arrange them as far apart as possible.
Doesn’t matter for 2, 3, or 4 “things” because of symmetry
When 5 things, lone pairs go on equatorial positions first (since they are farther away from other stuff)
When 6 things, lone pairs go across from each other.
Name the molecular geometry based on the bonds.