VSEPR Theory &

Molecular Shapes
RUFTHEL S. GUTIERREZ
MT II - STEM
Outline:
 LewisStructure
Steps in writing Lewis Structure
Resonance Structure & Formal Charge
Exceptions to the Octet Rule
 VSEPR Theory & Molecular Shape
 Molecular Polarity & Dipole moment
 Molecular Shapes in Biological process
Objectives

 1. define molecular geometry and Valence Shell Electron Pair

Repulsion (VSEPR) theory;
 2. describe the geometry of simple compounds;
 3. define polarity;
 4. describe the types of molecules based on polarities;
 5. determine the factors that determine the bond polarity;
and
 6. determine the polarity of simple compounds.
Lewis structure of a Molecule or
Polyatomic Ion
Lewis structure of a molecule or polyatomic
ion is a structural formula that shows how
atoms are covalently bonded.
Steps in Writing Lewis Structure of a Molecule or
Polyatomic Ion
Step 1.Determine the total number of valence electrons
using the periodic table of elements. ( The number of
valence electrons equals the A-group number.)

Example nitrogen trifluoride, NF3

[1 x N(5e-)] + [3 x F(7e-)] = 5e- + 21e- = 26 valence e-

Step 2.Choose the central atom and
terminal atom. The least electronegative
elements takes the central position. H
and F do not occupy a central position.
Phosphorus never occupy terminal
position.
Step 3. Draw a single bond from each
surrounding atom to the central atom
and subtract two valence electrons for
each bond from the total number of
valence electrons in step 1
Step 4. Distribute the remaining electrons as
lone pairs (nonbonding electrons) around
the terminal atoms and then around
central atoms. Obey Octet rule.

Step 5. If the central atom is deficient of

electrons for it to comply the octet rule,
convert a lone pair of terminal atom into
bonding pair to produce a double or triple
bond.
Resonance Structure and Formal Charge

Resonance structure are two or more Lewis structure

of molecule or ion. Resonance structure have the same
relative placement of atoms but different locations of
bonding and lone electron pairs.
 Formalcharge is the charge an atom have if the bonding
electrons were shared equally.
Rules in Determining the Plausible Lewis
Structure based on FC
1. The Lewis structure having no formal charge is the most
plausible.

2. The Lewis structure in which the formal charge are close to

zero (+1 or -1) is more plausible than the one in which the
formal charges are farther from zero (+2, -2, +3,-3 etc.).

3. If two or more Lewis structure have similar distribution of

formal charges, the one in which the negative formal charges
are on the more electronegative atoms is the most plausible.
In the given example cyanate ion, CNO-,
the resonance form III is the most
plausible Lewis structure. The -1 charge
is on more electronegative atom O.
Exceptions to the Octet rule
Octet Rule the observation that when atoms bond, they often lose, gain or share
electrons to attain a filled outer shell of eight electrons.
Exceptions to the Octet Rule
1. Incomplete Octet, one of the atoms involved is short of some electrons to meet
the electron requirement of the octet rule. Be and B tend to form octet rule.

2. Odd – Electron Molecule, one of the atoms presenthas an odd number of electrons.
Example is the nitrogen dioxide, NO2

3. Expanded Octet, an atom having more than eight electrons around. It is possible
to elements belonging to period 3 through period 7. Example is sulphur
hexafluoride.
VSEPR Theory
(Valence-shell electron-pair repulsion)

VSEPR theory, state that each group of valence electrons

around a central atom is located as far away as possible
from the others in order to minimize repulsions.
Molecular Geometry

 Molecular geometry is the three-dimensional

arrangement of atoms in a molecule.

A molecule’s geometry affects its physical and

chemical properties, such as melting point, boiling
point, density, and the types of reactions it
undergoes.
Electron-group repulsions and
The 5 Basic molecular shapes
Molecular Shapes with
Two Electron-Group
(Linear Arrangement)
Molecular Shapes with Three
Electron-Group
(Trigonal Planar Arrangement)
Molecular Shapes with Four
Electron-Group(Tetrahedral
Arrangement)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdo6FtSU_k8
Molecular Shapes
with Five
Electron-Group
(Trigonal
Bipyramidal
Arrangement)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdo6FtSU_k8
Molecular Shapes
with Six Electron-
Group
(Octahedral
Arrangement)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcy-TjJ10xk
Stepwise Method for using VSEPR theory
to Determine Molecular Shape
Step 1. Write the Lewis structure from the molecular formula and identify
the relative placement of atoms and the number of electron groups.

Step 2. Assign an electron-group arrangement by counting all electron

groups around the central atom, bonding plus nonbonding.

Step 3. Predict the ideal bond angle from the electron-group arrangement
and the direction of any deviation caused by lone pairs or double bonds.

Step 4. Draw and name the molecular shape by counting bonding groups
and nonbonding groups separately.
Simulation of the Molecular Shapes
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/molecule-shapes/latest/molecule-
shapes_en.html
 Molecular shape and Molecular Polarity
 Molecularpolarity refers to a molecules having a
net imbalance of charge.

The net imbalance of charge produced from a polar

bonds of a molecule causes the molecules to become
polar (or dipole). A nonzero (not zero)net dipole
moment makes a molecule polar.
Dipole moment
 Dipolemoment is a measure of the strength of the
polarity of a bond.

 The
presence of polar bonds in a molecule does not
mean that the molecule is polar like in CO2

CO2 based on electronegativity difference it is a

polar.
CO2 is linear, zero net, nonpolar
The shape of the molecule determines
whether a molecules is polar or nonpolar.
Ex. CO2 is linear, zero net dipole, nonpolar
 Ex.2. CCl4 , tetrahedral, zero net dipole,
nonpolar
Ex.3. CHCl3, tetrahedral, nonzero
dipole, polar
Molecular Shape, Biological Receptors
and the Sense of Smell

 A, The olfactory area lies at the top of the nasal passage very close to the
brain.
 B, A blow-up of the region shows olfactory nerve cells with their hairlike
endings protruding into the liquid-coated nasal passage.
 C, A greater blow-up shows a receptor site on one of the endings containing
an odorous molecule that matches its shape.
References:

 Silberberge, M.S., Chemistry 4th Edition, Mc.Graw Hill pp.365-397

 Villamar Jr.,R.A. , Chemistry, st. Bernadette Publishing House Corp.,pp.95-120
 Bayquen, A.V., et.al, General Chemistry, Phoenix Publishing House pp.53-55
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/molecule-shapes/latest/molecule-
shapes_en.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxebQZUVvTg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdo6FtSU_k8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcy-TjJ10xk