SHAPES OF

MOLECULES
CHEMISTRY A-LEVEL 2024
MR A CHIPARE
Founders High School
INTRODUCTION
• The shape (geometry) of a molecule is important, for
example in determining how it packs with other
molecules, how it forms molecular interactions, and
in predicting polarity.
• To determine the shape of a molecule, we use a
method known as the Valence Shell Electron Pair
Repulsion (VSEPR) theory. This theory has two
important statements.
Cont…
The electron pair around an atom are of two types:
1. Bond pair of electrons( pair of electrons used in
covalent bonding)
2. Lone pair of electrons (pair of electrons in the outer
shell which is not involved in a covalent bonding)
• These electron pairs around a central atom of a
molecule dictate the shape of the molecule
VALENCE ELECTRON PAIR REPULSION
THEORY
1. Electron pairs around the central atom in a
molecule repel and reposition themselves as
far from each other as possible to minimize
any further repulsion.
2. Lone pair-lone pair repulsion is greater than
bond pair-lone pair repulsion which in turn is
greater than bond pair- bond pair repulsion.
Assumptions of the theory
• All electrons are negatively charged so they repel each
other when they come close together
• The electron pairs repel each other as far apart as possible
until the repulsive forces are minimized.
• The electron pairs around a central atom of a molecule
dictate the shape of the molecule.
Three main ideas of VSEPR
• Electron pairs in the valence shell of a central
atom in a covalent molecule arrange themselves
so as to minimize repulsion
• The magnitude of these repulsive forces are
such that:
Lone pair-lone pair>lone pair-bond pair>bond
pair-bond pair
• Mutual repulsion results in geometry of the
covalent molecule
• Multiple bonds are treated as single bonds
Steps in determining the shape of the
molecule
• Choose the central atom of the molecule
• Calculate the total valence of all the atoms in the molecule
• Start by filling bond pair of electrons around the central atom
• After filling the bond pairs ,then fill the lone pairs on the atoms around
the central atom to complete their valence.
• If there are any remaining electrons they become the lone pair which are
then placed on the central atom since the surrounding atoms will be fully
filled.
• Add or subtract electrons of the molecule is charged
• The number of bond pairs and lone pairs around the central atom gives
the shape.
 Method 2: Predicting shapes
This is the same as the Periodic Table group number, except in
the case of the noble gases which form compounds, when it
will be 8
If the ion has a 1- charge, add one more electron. For a 1+
charge , deduct an electron
Number of electrons on central atom
Add one electron from each atom being
bonded in
Add or subtract electron if the molecule
has a charge

Add first three rows together Total electrons

Divide total electrons by 2 Total pairs of electrons

The bonding pairs will be the number of other atoms that are Number of bonding pairs
joined to the central atom
The lone pairs will be the difference between the total pairs Number of lone pairs
and bonding pairs
Common shapes of molecules
Name No of bonding No of lone Bond angle Example
pairs pairs
Linear 2 0 180° 𝑪𝑶𝟐 , 𝑩𝒆𝑭𝟐 , 𝑯𝑪𝑵

Trigonal planar 3 0 120° 𝑩𝑭𝟑 , 𝑺𝑶𝟑 ,𝑨𝒍𝑶𝟑

Tetrahedral 4 0 109.5° 𝑪𝑯𝟒

Trigonal pyramidal 3 1 107° 𝑵𝑯𝟑

Bent 2 2 104.5° 𝑯𝟐 𝑶

Trigonal bi- 5 0 120° and 90° 𝑷𝑪𝒍𝟓

pyramidal

octahedral 6 0 90° 𝑺𝑭𝟔

Common shapes
Cont…
Double and triple bonds
• Double and triple bonds act like single bonds in determining the
shape of the molecule. So 𝑪𝑶𝟐 acts like it has two bonded pairs of
electrons.
• It is more appropriate to explain the shape in terms of ‘number of
regions of negative charge’. 𝑪𝑶𝟐 has two regions of negative charge,
and has the linear shape of 𝑩𝒆𝑪𝒍𝟐
• The method we used above with the table does not work so easily
where double and triple bonds are involved. The best method is to
try and draw a dot and cross diagram and work out how many
double bonds, single bonds and lone pairs there are.
Predict the shapes of the following
1. 𝐶𝐶𝑙4
2. 𝑁𝐻4 +
3. 𝐻3 𝑂+
4. 𝐶𝑙𝑂3 −
5. 𝐻2 𝑆
THE END…….