Molecular

Geometry
Thinking of Molecules in
3-Dimensions
● VSEPR theory assumes
that each atom within a
molecule will arrange its
bonded and lone pair
electrons in a way that
minimizes the repulsion
of the valence electrons
○ Electrons are all
negatively charged &
want to repel each other
Valence-Shell Electron-Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory

● There is no direct relationship between the chemical

formula of a molecule and the geometry it will create
○ The geometry can, however, be determined by the Lewis dot
structure of the molecule

● The geometrical shapes you’ll learn depend on a few

things:
○ How many atoms are bonded to the central atom?
○ How many lone electron pairs does the central atom have?
Valence Electron Arrangement
● A crucial part of VSEPR is understanding where electrons (either
bonded e− pairs or lone e− pairs) would arrange themselves around
an atom during covalent bonding
● Where would you place 2 dots, around the perimeter of the
circle to the left, so that the dots are as far away from one
another as possible?
“An Atom”
● Where would you place 3 dots, around the perimeter of the
circle to the left, so that the dots are as far away from one
another as possible?

● Where would you place 4 dots, around the perimeter of the

circle to the left, so that the dots are as far away from one
another as possible?
 Molecular Shapes
Applies to covalent compounds only.
Use VSEPR steps (valence shell electron pair repulsion):

1) Identify the central atom as the element that can form the most
bonds/lowest electronegativity
2) Draw the Lewis dot structure for the molecule
3) Count TOTAL # of electron pairs (BOTH bonded AND LONE) around
the central atom
4) Count # of bonding pairs of electrons around the central atom
5) Count # of lone pairs of electrons around the central atom
6) Look at summary chart, identify shape
# of Electron Number of
Molecular Shapes
Electron Pair Molecular Geometry Approximate
Groups Lone Pairs Arrangement Bond Angles

2 0 linear 180°

0 trigonal planar 120°

3 1 bent <120°

0 tetrahedral 109.5°

1 trigonal pyramid <109.5° (~107°)

4
2 bent <109.5°(~105°)
 Molecular Shape
Try to predict the shape using VSEPR
and your shape chart:

1. BCl3 2. CH4 3. NH3

Central atom

# e- pairs

# bonded pairs

# lone pairs

Shape
Molecular Geometry - Linear
Name of Geometric Shape Linear

Geometric Structure

Formula

Bond Angle 180.0°

Example
HCl - hydrochloric acid
(hydrogen monochloride)

Bonded Atom(s) to Central Atom 1 bond but neither are “center”

N/A
Lone Pair Electron(s) on Central Atom
(Neither can be considered “center”)
Molecular Geometry - Linear
Name of Geometric Shape Linear

Geometric Structure

Formula

Bond Angle 180.0°

Example
CO2 - carbon dioxide

TOTAL groups attached to Central Atom 2

Bonded Atom(s) to Central Atom 2

Lone Pair Electron(s) on Central Atom 0

Molecular Geometry - Trigonal Planar
Name of Geometric Shape Trigonal Planar

Geometric Structure

Formula

Bond Angle 120.0°

Example
BF3 - boron trifluoride

TOTAL Groups attached to Central Atom 3

Bonded Atom(s) to Central Atom 3

Lone Pair Electron(s) on Central Atom 0

Molecular Geometry - Tetrahedral
Name of Geometric Shape Tetrahedral

Geometric Structure

Formula

Bond Angle 109.50°

Example
CH4 - Methane
(carbon tetrahydride)

TOTAL Groups attached to Central Atom 4

Bonded Atom(s) to Central Atom 4

Lone Pair Electron(s) on Central Atom 0

Molecular Geometry - Trigonal Pyramidal
Name of Geometric Shape Trigonal Pyramidal

Geometric Structure

Formula

Bond Angle Less than 109.50°

Example
NH3 - Ammonia
(nitrogen trihydride)

TOTAL Groups attached to Central Atom 4

Bonded Atom(s) to Central Atom 3

Lone Pair Electron(s) on Central Atom 1

Molecular Geometry - Bent
Name of Geometric Shape Bent

Geometric Structure

Formula

Bond Angle 109.50°

Example
H2O - Water
(dihydrogen monoxide)

TOTAL Groups attached to Central Atom 4

Bonded Atoms to Central Atom 2

Lone Pair Electrons on Central Atom 2