Molecular Geometries
and Bonding Theories
HS-PS1-1
Molecular Shapes
• We’ve learned to draw Lewis structures and account
for all the valence electrons in a molecule.
• But… Lewis structures are two dimensional and
molecules are 3 dimensional objects.
• The 3D structure is absolutely critical for
understanding molecules.
Constructing a Lewis-Dot diagram for molecules
Take a screenshot of this
Follow these simple steps:
1. Determine total valence electrons for all atoms~ watch out
for negative/positive ions (ex: NH41+ 5+4 = 9 -1 = 8 )
2. Position first atom in the center ~ usually first in the formula
(unless H or F). The central atom is supposed to have the
lowest electronegativity, meaning it is the farthest to the left
on the periodic table
3. Join other atoms with line bonds to the central.
4. Subtract 2 electrons for every bond formed.
5. Place remaining e- around atoms to fill valence. Fill
surrounding atoms BEFORE the central atom.
6. Check that each atom has a complete octet.
7. Too few electrons? Give the central atom a complete octet by
creating a double or triple bond. Create multiple bonds by
moving an electron pair from a surrounding atom into a line
bond with the central
Your Turn…
Use the steps outlined earlier to draw the lewis diagrams for
the following molecules
1. PCl3
2. SO3
Molecular Geometry
• Lewis structures do not necessarily illustrate molecular geometry, but
they do generate the data needed to predict molecular structure.
• In the valence shell of the central atom of a molecule are either
bonding electron pairs or nonbonding pairs of electrons. These
electrons repel creating bond and lone pair angles.
VSEPR
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory
1. Shared and unshared pairs repel.
2. Lone pairs repel stronger than shared pairs.
3. Double and triple bonds are viewed as single; for
structure only.
4. The resultant shape of the molecule is a result of
shared and lone pairs being as far apart as possible.
What Determines the Shape of a
Molecule?
• Atoms and lone pairs take
up space and prefer to be as
far from each other as
possible
• Shape can be predicted from
simple geometry
lone pair
bonds
“Things”
• The central atom has four
“things” around it. A “thing”
is an atom or a lone pair of
electrons.
• # things = atoms + lone pairs
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion
Theory (VSEPR)
“The best arrangement of
a given number of things is
the one that minimizes the
repulsions among them.”
# of
things Arrangement Geometry Bond angles
Geometries
These are the
geometries for two
through six things
around a central
atom.
You must learn
these!
Geometries
• All one must do is count the number of “things” in
the Lewis structure.
• The geometry will be that which corresponds to
that number of “things.”
Molecular Geometries
• The geometry is often not the shape of the
molecule, however.
• The “shape” is defined by the positions of only the
atoms in the molecules, not the lone pairs.
Geometries vs. Shape
Within each geometry,
there might be more
than one shape.
Linear Geometry 2 Things
Things Geometry Atoms Lone pairs
Shape
Example
• In this geometry, there is only one molecular
geometry: linear.
• NOTE: If there are only two atoms in the
molecule, the molecule will be linear no matter
what the geometry is.
Trigonal Planar Geometry 3 Things
things geometry atoms lone pairs
shape
• There are two molecular geometries:
• Trigonal planar, if there are no lone pairs
• Bent, if there is a lone pair.
example
Lone Pairs and Bond Angle
• Lone pairs are physically larger than
atoms.
• Therefore, their repulsions are
greater; this tends to decrease bond
angles in a molecule.
Multiple Bonds and Bond Angles
• Double and triple bonds place
greater electron density on one
side of the central atom than do
single bonds.
• Therefore, they also affect bond
angles.
Tetrahedral Geometry 4 Things
Things geometry atoms lone pairs
There are three molecular geometries:
• Tetrahedral, if no lone pairs
• Trigonal pyramidal if one is a lone pair
• Bent if there are two lone pairs
shape
example
Trigonal Bipyramidal Geometry 5 Things
Things geometry atoms lone pairs shape
example
There are four
distinct molecular
geometries in this
domain:
• Trigonal
bipyramidal
• Seesaw
• T-shaped
• Linear
Octahedral Geometry 6 things
Things geometry
atoms
lone
pairs
shape
• All positions are equivalent in the octahedral domain.
• There are three molecular geometries
example
Complete “VSEPR and Polarity” Assignment
and submit to Schoology