Summary of Molecular Geometries
Memorize and Understand this Information
Adapted from Van Koppen and Offen; Tro; and Chang
Steric
Number
(SN)
Electronic
Arrangement
Lone pairs
on central
atom
Molecular
Geometry
Bond
Angle
2
Linear
0
Linear
180o
BeCl2
CO2
0
Trigonal
planar
120o
BF3
NO3-
3
4
5
6
Trigonal
planar
Tetrahedral
Trigonal
bipyramidal
Octahedral
Schematic
Examples
1
Bent
<120o
SO2
NO2-
0
Tetrahedral
109.5o
CH4
ClO4-
1
Trigonal
pyramidal
<109.5o
NH3
ClO3-
2
Bent
(V-shaped)
<<109.5o
H 2O
SCl2
0
Trigonal
bipyramidal
90o
120o
PCl5
1
See-saw
<180o
<120o
SF4
2
T-shaped
<90o
ClF3
3
Linear
180o
XeF2
0
Octahedral
90o
SF6
1
Square
Pyramidal
90o
<90o
BrF5
2
Square
planar
90o
XeF4
Hybridization
of central
atom
sp
sp2
sp3
dsp3
(or sp3d)
d2sp3
(or sp3d2)