Geometry of Molecules and

Polarity of Compounds
Objectives
At the end of the lesson, I will be able to:

a. Apply the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory to predict

the geometry of simple molecules.
b. Define dipole moment.
c. Predict the polarity of molecules
Keywords
a. Molecular geometry
b. Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory
c. Bond angle
d. linear
e. trigonal planar
f. tetrahedral
g. trigonal bipyramidal
h. octahedral
i. dipole moment
j. polar bond
k. polar molecule
MOLECULAR GEOMETRY
Why do we need to know about the geometry of molecules?
How can we know the geometry of a molecule?
MOLECULAR GEOMETRY
Molecular geometry pertains to the three-dimensional arrangement of
atoms in a molecule. Geometry affects the physical and chemical
properties of molecules and their reactivity towards other molecules.
How can we know the geometry of a
molecule?
Molecular geometry can be determined by experiment such as x-ray
diffraction.
However, the geometry of simple molecules can be predicted even
without experimentation. While the results of the prediction is only
qualitative and not as accurate as experiment, they still help in
explaining the properties of chemical substances.
What is the basis of the prediction?
• The prediction rests on the assumption that all electron pairs in the
valence shell around a central atom repel one another.
• They assume a geometry or orientation that will minimize the
repulsions. This is the stable orientation and the one with lowest
energy. This approach in predicting molecular geometry is called the
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory (VSEPR).
How do we apply the VSEPR theory to predict
molecular geometry?
1. Electron pairs stay as far apart from each other as possible to
minimize repulsions.
2. Molecular shape is determined by the number of bond pairs and
lone pairs around the central atom.
3. Treat multiple bonds as if they were single bonds (in making the
prediction).
4. Lone pairs occupy more volume than bond pairs. Lone pair-lone
pair repulsions are greater than lone pair-bond pair repulsions
which in turn are greater than bond pair-bond pair repulsions
What are the common orientations of electrons pairs (bond
pairs and lone pairs) that minimize repulsions?
a. The first thing to do before we can predict the molecular
geometry is to draw the Lewis structure of the molecule.
a. The first thing to do before we can predict the molecular
geometry is to draw the Lewis structure of the molecule.
b. How many bond pairs surround the central atom of
Be?
c. How will two electron pairs orient themselves such
that they will be as far apart from one another as
possible?
d. What is the molecular geometry?
e. What is the Cl-Be-Cl bond angle?
e. What is the Cl-Be-Cl bond angle?
a. Again, the first step is to get the Lewis structure.
b. How many bond pairs surround the central atom of
boron?
c. How will three electron pairs orient themselves such
that they will be as far apart from one another as
possible?
d. What is the molecular geometry?
e. What is the Cl – B – Cl bond angle?
a. Again, the first step is to get the Lewis structure.
b. How many bond pairs surround the central atom of
boron?
c. How will three electron pairs orient themselves such
that they will be as far apart from one another as
possible?
d. What is the molecular geometry?
e. What is the bond angle?
Practice
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Try
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Exercises
Dipole Moments and Polarity of Molecules