Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories

5.2. Electron Group Geometry

Chem 16
Module 5

1st Semester SY 2020 – 2021

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 Learning • Discuss the different types of electron groups
Objectives • Identify the electron group geometry of a covalent compound/polyatomic
ion
After learning • Identify the molecular group geometry of a covalent compound/polyatomic
about electron ion
groups, we can
start talking about • Determine the polarity of a covalent compound/polyatomic ion based on
geometry molecular geometry
• Determine the hybridization of the orbitals in the central atom of a
covalent compound
• Draw the molecular orbital diagrams for homogeneous second period
diatomic molecule/ion
• Write the molecular orbital configuration of a homogeneous second period
diatomic molecule/ion
• Determine the bond order and magnetic property of a homogeneous
second period diatomic molecule/ion
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 MIKO and SOCIAL DISTANCING
Hi, I’m Miko!
In SOCIAL DISTANCING,
we want to keep
everyone as far away as
possible

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 SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH 2 SMILEYS
Suppose 2 smileys are tied to a stake. To keep them as far
away from each other, what angle do we orient them?

90o

180o
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 Better with
an angle
of 180o ,
SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH 2 SMILEYS their
geometry
is LINEAR
Suppose 2 smileys are tied to a stake. To keep them as far
away from each other, what angle do we orient them?

90o 180o

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 SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH 3 SMILEYS
This time, suppose 3 smileys are
tied to a stake. To keep them as
far away from each other, what
angle do we orient them?

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 Yes, an angle of
120o will keep
them away from
SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH 3 SMILEYS each other! Their
geometry is
TRIGONAL
PLANAR
This time, suppose 3 smileys are
tied to a stake. To keep them as
far away from each other, what
angle do we orient them?

120o
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 SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH 4 SMILEYS
Now, if 4 smileys are tied to a
stake. To keep them as far away
from each other, what angle do
we orient them?

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 SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH 4 SMILEYS
Now, if 4 smileys are tied to a
stake. To keep them as far away
from each other, what angle do
we orient them?
Nope, we can do
better than 90o.
Remember, we
are not limited in
2-D space
90o

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 SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH 4 SMILEYS
Yes! This
orientation is
This time, suppose 4 smileys are called a
TETRAHEDRAL
tied to a stake. To keep them as and the angle
between is
far away from each other, what 109.o 109.5o
angle do we orient them?

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 WHAT DOES SOCIAL DISTANCING HAVE TO DO WITH CHEMISTRY?

In social
distancing we Electron groups have to also
want to keep be kept as far apart because
everyone as far they repel each other
away from each
other

This theory tells us that the

number of electron groups
determine the geometry
around an atom

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 12

This theory predicts the shapes of

molecules and ions by assuming
VALENCE-
that the valence shell electron pairs
SHELL
are arranged about each atom so
ELECTRON-PAIR
that electron pairs are kept as far
REPULSION
away from one another as possible,
THEORY thereby minimizing electron pair
(VSEPR) repulsions

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 13

This theory predicts the shapes of

molecules and ions by assuming
VALENCE-
that the valence shell electron pairs
SHELL
are arranged about each atom so
ELECTRON-PAIR
that electron pairs are kept as far
REPULSION
away from one another as possible,
THEORY thereby minimizing electron pair
(VSEPR) repulsions
The ORIENTATION that allows
the electron groups to have
IC UPD 1ST SEM 2021 the minimum repulsion is the
GEOMETRY
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 Number of
Electron Groups

Arrangement of
Electron Groups /
Geometry around
central atom

Bond Angle/s

DETERMINING ELECTRON GROUP GEOMETRY

THE NUMBER OF ELECTRON GROUPS AROUND AN ATOM, DICTATES THE SHAPE OF THAT ATOM

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 Number of
Electron Groups

Arrangement of
Electron Groups /
Geometry around
central atom

Bond Angle/s

DETERMINING ELECTRON GROUP GEOMETRY

THE NUMBER OF ELECTRON GROUPS AROUND AN ATOM, DICTATES THE SHAPE OF THAT ATOM

This table shows us that the

number of electron groups
dictate the GEOMETRY
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 Number of
Electron Groups

Arrangement of
Electron Groups /
Geometry around
central atom

Bond Angle/s

DETERMINING ELECTRON GROUP GEOMETRY

THE NUMBER OF ELECTRON GROUPS AROUND AN ATOM, DICTATES THE SHAPE OF THAT ATOM

We already know LINEAR, TRIGONAL PLANAR and TETRAHEDRAL. For 5

electron groups the shape is trigonal bipyramidal and there are two angles.
The groups on the flat middle area are the equatorial groups and have have
120o between them. The groups above and below the plane are the axial
groups and they form 90 o angles with an equatorial group
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 Number of
Electron Groups

Arrangement of
Electron Groups /
Geometry around
central atom

Bond Angle/s

DETERMINING ELECTRON GROUP GEOMETRY

THE NUMBER OF ELECTRON GROUPS AROUND AN ATOM, DICTATES THE SHAPE OF THAT ATOM

If there are six electron groups, no matter

where you turn it, there is a 90 o angle
between groups.

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IC UPD 1st Sem 2021 18
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 Build your own model using any material
of choice and take a selfie with them!
This will allow you to see them in 3-D

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 HOW TO DETERMINE ELECTRON GROUP GEOMETRY

electron group
geometry

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 HOW TO DETERMINE ELECTRON GROUP GEOMETRY
Ok let’s follow
electron group
these steps to
geometry
determine the
electron group
geometry in NH3

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 We already did
HOW TO DETERMINE ELECTRON GROUP GEOMETRY steps 1 and 2,
now we need to do
step 3
electron group
geometry

4 electron groups

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 To do that, lets
consult this table.
HOW TO DETERMINE ELECTRON GROUP GEOMETRY With 4 electron
groups, the
electron group
electron group geometry is…
geometry

Tetrahedral electron
4 electron groups group geometry

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 HOW TO DETERMINE ELECTRON GROUP GEOMETRY
TETRAHEDRAL
electron group
geometry

Tetrahedral electron
4 electron groups group geometry

..
N
H H
H
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 This time, let’s identify the
TEST YOURSELF electron group geometry around
the molecule’s central atom

 What is the electron group geometry for each:

1. Phosphorus Pentafluoride (PF5) 3. nitrite ([NO2]-)
2. Xenon tetrafluoride (XeF4) 4. hydrogen cyanide (HCN)

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 TEST YOURSELF Let’s follow the steps in this
scheme

 What is the electron group geometry for each:

1. Phosphorus Pentafluoride (PF5) 3. nitrite ([NO2]-)
2. Xenon tetrafluoride (XeF4) 4. hydrogen cyanide (HCN)

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 TEST YOURSELF
What is the electron group geometry for each?
1. Phosphorus pentafluoride (PF5)
3. nitrite ([NO2]-)
Now we
have 1
5 3 and 2,
let’s
figure
2. Xenon tetrafluoride (XeF4) out
4. hydrogen cyanide (HCN)
geometry
from this
table

6 2
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 TEST YOURSELF
Whatis the electron group geometry for each?
1. Phosphorus pentafluoride (PF5)
3. nitrite ([NO2]-)
Take the
5 Trigonal 3 Trigonal
planar model
pyramidal
you built
and see
2. Xenon tetrafluoride (XeF4) how they
4. hydrogen cyanide (HCN)
look like
in 3-D

6 octahedral 2 linear

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