Molecular Geometry (Shape)

This subject is treated in detail in the book of the molecular geometry advertized in this website. Also, a practical kit is associated with the book so the student will get more practical view of the molecular shapes of basic molecules. The predicted molecular shapes by the Valence Electron Pair Repulsion Theory is based on the Lewis structures. On the other hand, molecular shapes could be predicted on the basis of the atomic electronic structure as introduced by the quantum theory in what is known as hybrid orbitals. In the following, the predicted geometries of some molecules and molecular ions given in the book ae presented:
. Ne.p = 2 n 2 m 0 Formula AX2 Molecular Shape Angle 180 X Name Linear

180

X A A Examples: i. Non-polar molecules: CO2, BeCl2, HgCl2 ii. Polar molecules: HCN

Ne.p = 3 Angle n m Formula Molecular shape Name

AX3

X A

Planar 120 triangular

A X X Examples: i. Non-polar molecules: BF3, BCl3, A 120 A ii. Polar molecules: H2CO, BF2Cl

..
A Bent, X A 120 V shape

AX2E

X A

120

Examples: Polar molecules: SO2, O3, ClNO, SnCl2, PF2+

Ne.p = 4

Formu n m la Molecular shape

Angle

Name

4 0

AX4

A
109.5

A 109.5 Tetrahedral

Examples: i. Non-polar molecules: CH4, ii. Polar molecules: CH2Cl2, CHCl3, CH2F2 , CHF3 CH3F,

..
3 1 AX3E A
109.5

..
A 109.5 Pyramidal

Examples: Polar molecules: NH3, AlCl3, PH3,

V-shaped, 2 2 AX2E2

..
A

.. ..
A

109.5

bent

Examples: Polar molecules: H2S, H2O, 109.5

..

..
1 3 AXE3 A
109.5

.. .. .. ..
A

..

Linear

Examples: i. Polar molecules: HCl, HF, HBr, HI ii.Non Polar molecules : Cl2, F2, Br2, H2

Ne.p = 5. The Initial geometry is trigonal bipyramidal .In this system, it has been found that atoms X are placed first at the extremity of the axial axis, then in the equatorial positions (plane)

Angles n m Formula Molecular shape Name

Trigonal bipyramidal 5 0 AX5 180 90 120

Examples: i- Non-polar molecules: PCl5, ii- Polar molecules: SOF4, TeOF4

4 1

AX4E

..

Deformed 180 90 120

(unsymmetrical)

tetrahedron

Examples: Polar molecules: SF4, IO2F2-,

3 2

AX3E2

..
A Examples: - Polar molecules: ClF3, IF3

180

90

T-shaped

..

..
2 3 AX2E3 A

..

180

Linear

..
Examples: i. Non-polar molecules: I3-, ICl2-, ii. Polar molecules: IFCl-,

Ne.p = 6. The initial geometry is Octahedral. Note that in this system, it has been found that atoms X are placed first at the extremity of the equatorial axis (plane), then at the axial axis positions

n m Formula

Molecular shape

Angles

Name

6 0

AX6

180

90

90

Octahedral

Examples: i. Non-polar molecules: PCl6-, SF6, ii. Polar molecules: IOF5

..
Square 5 1 AX5E A 90 90 pyramidal

Examples: Polar molecules: BrF5, SbF52-

Square 4 2 AX4E2

..

90

planar

A Examples: i. Non-polar molecules: BrF4-

..

ii. Polar molecules: I F2Cl2-