Molecular Geometry

General Chemistry II

Objective:
The student is to build an assortment of VSEPR model compounds, relate each model to
the electron dot structure, then describe the molecular geometry of each model. Describe
the type of bonding and angles around each central atom.

Materials Used:

Pen
Pencil
Paper
Molecular Geometry Chart
VSEPR Model Kit

Procedure:
1. Determine the number of lone pairs and bonded pairs around the central atom by
drawing the Lewis Dot Structure for each of the molecules or ions.
2. Build a model for each compound or ion.
3. Arrange the atoms to maximize the distance between all the electron pairs. Keep
in mind, lone pair electrons cause more repulsion than electrons between atoms.
4. Identify the molecular structure as either linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral,
trigonal bipyramidal, or octahedral.
5. Calculate the angle between the atoms attached to the central atom.
6. Reference the molecular geometry chart to confirm angles.

Pre-Laboratory Questions:
1. What effect does the presence of lone-pair electrons have on the bond angles
in a molecule?
Lone pairs of electrons have a high electric charge, and thus require more space
than bonded electrons. As a result, bonded pairs are inverted away from the lone

pair. The greater the distance between bonded and lone pairs of electrons, the
greater the angle. Consequently, the angle between bonded electrons with other
bonded electrons decreases as the bonds are shifted into the same relative area.
2. What additional information does the VSEPR theory give you beyond
electron-dot structures, in terms of molecular structure?
The VSEPR theory dictates the repulsion among electrons, which is accentuated
in lone pairs. The electron arrangement is according to the lowest-energy
configuration. For example, PCl5 would arrange itself into a trigonal bipyramidal
in order to achieve maximum spacing between charges.

Data Tables:
Molecule
or ion

Number of
lone pairs
on central
atom

HCN
CO2
H2O
NH3

0
0
2
1

O3
CCl3
AsH3

Angle
Geometry
between
(shape) of
bonds
molecule
around
central atom

2
2
4
4

Arrangemen
t of electrons
based on
number of
effective
pairs
AX2
AX2
AX2E2
AX3E

2
0
1

3
4
4

AX2E
AX4
AX3E

<120
109.5
<109.5

NO3

AX3

120

SO2
NH4+

2
0

3
4

AX2E
AX4

<120
109.5

Molecule
or ion

Number of
lone pairs
on central
atom

Angle
Geometry
between
(shape) of
bonds
molecule
around
central atom

BeCl2
BF3

0
0

2
3

Arrangemen
t of electrons
based on
number of
effective
pairs
AX2
AX3

SF6
PCl5

2
1

6
5

AX6
AX5

90
120

I3

AX2E

<120

Analysis of Data:

Total
number of
effective
pairs around
central atom

Total
number of
effective
pairs around
central atom

180
180
104.5
<109

180
120

Linear
Linear
Bent
Trigonal
Pyramidal
Bent
Tetrahedral
Trigonal
pyramidal
Trigonal
planar
Bent
Tetrahedral

Linear
Trigonal
planar
Octahedral
Trigonal
bipyramidal
bent

The valence-shell electron-pair repulsion theory and list of exceptions to the octet rule
determine the shape of the molecule and polyatomic ions. The overall molecular polarity
is an additional determinant of shape. The shape is determined through the following
steps. First, the Lewis Structure is determined. Second, electron configuration and
VSEPR theory is used to predict geometry. Third, predict polarity based on
electronegativity differences. Fourth, determine molecular polarity based on bond dipoles
and geometry.

Conclusion:
Molecular and polyatomic ion shape is determined on the number of electrons, atomic
polarity, overall polarity, dipole moment, and the number of both bonded and lone pairs
of electrons. The VSEPR theory accounts for electron configuration based on the rule of
repulsion. Electrons repel each other because of similar charges repel. Lone pairs of
electrons, which have a higher amount of energy, are more repulsive than bonded
electrons. The shape is dictated by polarity and dipole moments in order to achieve the
most stable state. Stability is reached by allowing electrons to repel each other, thus
increasing the distance between electrons.