[Western Oregon University]

PREDICTING THE SHAPES OF MOLECULES


To predict the shape of a molecule using the VSEPR Theory, you must draw the Lewis Dot structure and then consider the repulsions of the electron groups in the molecule.



Number of Electron Pairs Shape of Molecule or IonExamples
TotalBondingNonbonding
220linearHgCl2, CuCl2-
330trigonal planarBF3, HgCl3-
321angularSnCl2, NO2-
440tetrahedralCH4, BF4-
431trigonal pyramidalNH3, PF3
422angularH2O, ICl2+
550trigonal bipyramidalPCl3, SnCl5-
541irregular tetrahedralTeCl4, IF4+
532T-shapedClF3, BrF3
523linearXeF2, ICl2-
660octahedralSF6, PF6-
651square pyramidalIF3, SbF32-
642square planarBrF4-, XeF4





Predict the shapes of the following compounds:

(a) ONF

(b) SO42-

(c) SO32-

(d) CO32-

(e) PBr5



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