Conor Linehan

10-8-14
Chem 145 Lab #1: Chemical Models

Introduction: The primary focus of this lab is to enhance our understanding of molecular
structure and to let us explore the intermolecular forces that give molecules their specific
shape. The procedure is somewhat simple. It essentially describes the building blocks of a
certain molecule but does not tell the configuration. Our lab group must then figure out
how each individual molecule is put together. Specific points of emphasis of the lab
included: bond lengths, rigidness of molecules, bond angles, boiling point, and VSEPR.
The Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory, commonly abbreviated as VSEPR or
vesper, is a theory used to model the structure of a particular molecule based on the
number of pairs of electrons surrounding the molecules central atoms. Essentially, the
VSEPR theory states that the valence electrons that surround a certain atom tend to repel
each other. This repulsion arranges the atoms together in a way that minimizes the
repulsion, creating the overall shape of the molecule. By building the molecules using
the specific pieces that are found in the molecule kits, we can see how certain bonds
cause the molecule to be more rigid, how the configuration of the atoms in a molecule
and the polarity of a molecule affects boiling point, and also how different configurations
of atoms within a molecule can change the molecules properties. By gaining a better
understanding of individual molecular structures, I will also have a better understanding
of the way different molecules interact with one another in terms of attraction and
repulsion.

Lab Questions:

Cl is 35.5 times heavier than Hwhat does this suggest to you about the relative
densities of these two substances? (CH4 and CCl4)

The fact that chlorine is much heaver at an atomic level suggests that the relative
density of CCl4 will be much higher, contributing to the fact that CH4 is a gas
and CCl4 is a liquid.

Make a prediction for (the states of matter of) CBr4 and CI4and check your result
by looking up the melting and boiling points.

I predicted that both substances are solids and was correct. Since the relative
densities of Bromine and Iodine are much bigger than Hydrogen and Chlorine, I
assumed that they would have much higher melting and boiling points. (CBr4 =
91C and CI4 = 171C

Since the model sets do not have B and Be atoms, you will have to use the purple
phosphorous atom in their place, ignoring the appropriate set of holes. Which
holes do you ignore?

Since both BeCl2 and BCl3 are both planar, we ignore the holes that would not
make the overall structure planar.

What are the bond lengths of the molecules in part 2 of the "Molecules to Build
list?

H2: 74pm, N2: 145pm, O2: 148pm, CO: 143pm, Cl2: 199pm

Is there more than one way to build CHBrClF?

Yes, this molecule has a few isomers that are made by rearranging the four
peripheral atoms around the central carbon atom.

What are the shapes of SF4 and SF6 from a distance?

SF4 is shaped similarly to a seesaw, and SF6 is octahedral in shape so it looks like
a jack.

What are the b.p.s of SF4 and SF6?

The boiling point for SF4 is -38C and the boiling point for SF6 is -64C.

Why do we use the purple balls for Cl and yellow balls for Br? Where are the
non-bonded electrons in step 19 of the Molecules to Build list?

We use purple for Cl since ClF3 has three bonds and two pairs of unpaired
electrons, resulting in a total of five holes. We use yellow for BrF5 since the
molecule has five bonds and one pair of unpaired electrons, resulting in a total of
six holes. The unpaired electrons are connected to the central atom of each
molecule (Cl and Br respectively).

What color atom should you use for Xenon?

We should use yellow balls since the structure contains four bonds and two pairs
of non-bonded electrons (six holes total).

A: Are there two isomers of CH2Cl2? Is it polar or non-polar?

CH2Cl2 does not have any isomers. Even if the Hydrogens and Chlorines switch
places, the molecule will retain its structure. It is a polar molecule since the
positively charged Hydrogens and the negatively charged Chlorines are on
opposite sides of the central carbon atom.

B: Which of the isomers of C2H2Cl2 are polar?

The two molecular configurations that stack the positively charged Hydrogen and
the negatively charged Chlorines together either horizontally or vertically are the
two polar models. The model that has Chlorines and Hydrogens at opposite
corners is non-polar.

Question 1

The bond angles shown by the model are 180 degrees.

Question 2:

The Lewis Dot structure shows that NO3- has one resonating double bond that is
interchangeable while the molecular model shows the ion only having one double
bond in one spot. NO3- and HNO3 are structurally different due to the number of
optimal places for a double bond to resonate between. NO3- has equal resonance
between its three bonds. While HNO3 has three bonding sites for a double bond

to resonate between, the bond that includes the Hydrogen coming off of the
Oxygen is unfavorable for a double bond.

Question 3

Since the red balls are generally used to represent Oxygen, it makes sense that the
red balls only have two holes since they only need two valence electrons to
complete their octet in a stable molecule. It is also more electronegative than
Carbon and Nitrogen so it will generally only make two bonds in order to keep
the highest number of electrons.

Question 4:

The atomic radii of Oxygen, Carbon, and Nitrogen are similar, so four sizes of
balls that are around the same size is close to representing the actual molecules.
However, overall the atomic radii of all the atoms in general are proportionally
incorrect.