VSEPR & THE SHAPES OF MOLECULES

A SUMMARY OF THE MOLECULE SHAPES PREDICTED BY VALENCE SHELL ELECTRON PAIR REPULSION THEORY

OF
SHAPE & BOND Using Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory

A NG
E
NAM

KEY Shape
LE
VSEPR is a model used to predict shapes of molecules. Electron pairs repel each
other, and adopt an arrangement that minimises repulsion. To find the shape, a Lewis
irs
No.

structure can be drawn, or use the following method (assumes single bonds only):
fb
pa
o nd ne
o

in g & lo 1 Find the number of electrons the central atom normally has in its valence shell.

2 Add one electron for every atom that the central atom is bonded to.

LINE
AR - 180˚ 3 Add or subtract electrons to account for charges if the molecule is charged.

2
electron
pairs
4
5
Divide the number arrived at by two to find the number of electron pairs.

Subtract no. of atoms bonded to the central atom to find no. of lone pairs.

2 b.p. 6 Arrange electron pairs in the correct shape.

GO
NAL
PL ANAR -
1
-
BENt ~119˚ Bonding Pairs & Lone Pairs
3
20˚
TRI

Lone pairs lie closer to the central atom, and hence repel more
electron than a bonded pair. The order of strengths of repulsion is:
pairs

2 b.
LONE PAIR/LONE PAIR > BONDED PAIR/ LONE PAIR > BONDED PAIR/BONDED PAIR
3 b.p. p. , 1 l .p.

TR A
HEDRAL - 109
NA
L PYRAMIDAL - BEN
T - ~104.5˚
Lone Pair Repulsion
4
.5˚
TE

~10
TRIG

7˚

Each lone pair reduces the bond angle by

electron
pairs APPROXIMATELY 2.5 DEGREES
(if there are 4+ electron pairs arranged around the
3 b. 2 b.
4 b.p. p. , 1 l .p. p. , 2 l .p. central atom, ignore repulsions at >90˚ angles)

IPYRAMIDAL - ORSE - <90˚/<1 T-SH

APED - 90˚ LINE
AR - 180˚
LB W H FAILS FOR:
5
A

20˚
90˚/

SA
TRIGON

Isoelectronic
120˚

species
electron
pairs Transition metal
4 b. 3 b. 2 b. compounds
5 b.p. p. , 1 l .p. p. , 2 l .p. p. , 3 l .p.

DRA
TAHE L - 90˚ PYRAMIDAL - E P L A N AR -
T-SH
APED - 90˚ LINE
AR - 180˚
OC RE UAR 9

6
A

SQ
~90

0˚
SQU

electron
pairs

5 b. 4 b. 3 b. 2 b.
6 b.p. p. , 1 l .p. p. , 2 l .p. p. , 3 l .p. p. , 4 l .p.

R.K. MALIK'S NEWTON CLASSES , RANCHI

NEWTONCLASSES.NET