VSEPR

Vallence-Shell
Electron-Pair
Repulsion
LULU’ATUL HAMIDATU ULYA, M.Sc.
VSEPR
Predict the shape of the molecule,
from Lewis structures
Lewis structures
only show the
number and
types of bonds,
they do not
provide any
information about
the shape of the
molecule
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OUTLINE

Molecular Bond Bond

Geometries Lengths Angels

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 “
The shape of a molecule is
determined by its bond
angles and bond lengths.
These are affected by the
energetically favorable and
energetically unfavorable
interactions of electrons and
protons

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The VSEPR Model
This theory proposes that the geometric arrangement of
groups of atoms about a central atom in a covalent
compound is determined solely by the repulsions between electron
pairs present in the valence shell of the central atom
▫ The molecule adopts whichever 3-D geometry minimizes the
repulsion between valence electrons
To determine the shape of a molecule, we must consider all
electron domains in a molecule
▫ Defined as the regions where electron pairs may be found
Electron domain

Therefore, we must distinguish between:

◎ ▫ Lone pairs (non-bonding pairs)
◎ ▫ Bonding pairs (those found between two atoms)
Multiple bonds are considered as ONE bonding
pair even though in reality, they have multiple pairs of
electron

In general, each non-bonding pair,

single bond, or multiple bond produces
a single electron domain around
the central atom in a molecule

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The Five Electron-Domain Geometries

2 e- domains 3 e- domains 4 e- domains 5 e- domains 6 e- domains

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Why Do We Have Different Electron Domains?
• This is because each electron domain affects
the amount of electron repulsion around the
atom differently
▫ Electron pairs of bonding atoms are shared by two
atoms, whereas the nonbonding electron pairs
(lone pairs) are attracted to a single nucleus
As a result, lone pairs can be thought of as having a
somewhat larger electron cloud near the parent atom
This “crowds” the bonding pairs and the geometry
is distorted!
▫ Multiple bonds exert a greater repulsive force on
adjacent electron pairs than do single bonds as a
result of higher electron density

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Factors Affecting Bond Angles and
Molecular Geometries
Multiple Bonds Non-Bonding (Lone) Pairs

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 VSEPR
concept 1
Electron pairs around a central
atom repel each other. They
must stay near the nucleus, but
otherwise, they will stay as far
away from each other as
possible.

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How to determine the shape of a molecule

Focus on
bonded-
electron pairs
ONLY to
Draw the determine the
Lewis molecular
structure geometry (MG)
of the
molecule.
Determine the
electron-pair
geometry (count
counted as one
domain!).

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 Molecules with 4 electron domains

Electron-pair geometry will be tetrahedral

(angles near 109.5°)

Placement of bonded atoms determines the Molecular

Geometry

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 VSEPR
concept 2
Unshared electron pairs -lone
pairs- need more space than
shared pairs

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VSEPR Concept 2

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 VSEPR Concept 2

Consequences of VSEPR CONCEPT 2

H
C N O
H H H
H H
o H H H
109.5 107o 104.5o

tetrahedral trigonal bent

pyramidal

Multiple bonds repel like

lone pairs.

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 Molecules with 2 electron domains
Electron-pair geometry will be linear (angles 180o)
MG: Linear structures (bond angles 180o)

o o
180 180

Cl Be Cl O C O

Molecules with 3 electron domains

Electron-pair geometry will be trigonal planar (angles near 120o).
MG: Trigonal planar structures for three bonded atoms.
MG: Bent structures for two bonded atoms)
F 120o O 124o
O
F B F Cl C Cl O O

117 o
111o

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 Molecules with 5 electron domains
Electron-pair geometry will be trigonal bipyramid
(angles near 180o,120o or 90o)

2 types of sites:
axial 90° (to equatorial)
180° (to axial)
equatorial 120° (to equatorial)

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 Trigonal bipyramid

F 89 o
F F
116o S 186o Br F
F
F F

seesaw T-shaped

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 Molecules with 6 electron domains
Electron-pair geometry will be octahedral
(angles near 180o, or 90o)

5 bonded atoms: where does lone pair go?

• All sites are equivalent.

4 bonded atoms:
Where does the second lone pair go?

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 Molecules with 6 electron domains
Electron-pair geometry will be octahedral
(angles near 180o, or 90o)

square
pyramidal

82o
F
F F
Xe F F
F F I
F F

planar square pyramidal

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 Molecular Shapes: Summary
Number of Number of Molecular geometry Example
electron bonded atoms
domains

2 2 linear CO2
3 3 trigonal planar BF3
3 2 bent O3
4 4 tetrahedral CH4
4 3 trigonal pyramidal NH3
4 2 bent H2O
5 5 trigonal bipyramidal PCl5

5 4 seesaw SF4
5 3 T-shaped BrF3
5 2 linear XeF2
6 6 octahedral SF6
6 5 square pyramidal BrF5
6 4 square planar XeF4

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TRY THIS

Determine the shape

of molecule!
a. NF3
b. BCl3
c. CO2
d. CCl4
e. SF6
f. XeF4

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 This molecular
geometry is basic
concept to study
advanced
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chemistry.
“Bila kau tak tahan lelahnya belajar, maka
kau akan menanggung perihnya
kebodohan”

–Imam Syafi’i-

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 Place your screenshot here

Android project
To easier your understanding
about molecular geometries
you can download at appstore MOLECULAR 3D

“3D VSEPR” or “ Molecular 3D”.

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 Place your screenshot here

Desktop project
You can also download “ChemDraw” Software in your PC.
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Thanks!
Any questions?

You can find me at:

Lulu’atul Hamidatu Ulya
08563600338
luluhamida@gmail.com

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