Molecular Geometry

Molecules of different subtances have diverse shapes. Atoms attach to one another
in various geometric arrangements. The overall molecular shape of a molecule is
determined by its bond angles in three dimensions. The shape of a molecule is very
important for its physical and chemical properties. Molekl geometrisini aklamak
iin farkl kuramlar mevcuttur. modeller

VSEPR

Valence Bond
Theory

Molecular Orbital
Theory

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion

(VSEPR) Theory

It is a method for predicting the shape of a molecule from the

knowledge of the groups of electrons around a central atom.

Electron pairs (bonding and nonbonding electrons) repel one

another, as a result , the electron pairs remain as far apart as
possible from another as possible to minimize the repulsion.

Two electron pairs in the valence orbital are arranged linearly

Three electron pairs are organized in a trigonal planar arrangement
Four electron pairs are organized in a tetrahedral arrangement
Five electron pairs are arranged in a trigonal bipyramid
Six electron pairs are organized in an octahedral arrangement

The repulsion of lone pair electrons is grater than the repulsion of bond pair electrons

Electron pairs assume orientations about an atom to minimize repulsions.

Applying the VSEPR theory.

draw a plausible Lewis structure of the molecule or
polyatomic ion.
Determine the number of unshared electron pairs and numbers
of bonds around the central atom ( multiple bonds count as a
single bond)
B + No
Establish the geometrical orientation of the electron pairs
around the central atom as linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral,,
trigonal bipyramid or octahedral
Describe the molecular geometry

question: predict the shape of CO2 HCN CH4, NH3 SO2 PCl5,
SF6 and H2O by using VSEPR theory.

question: predict the shape of CO2 HCN CH4, NH3 SO2 PCl5,
SF6 and H2O by using VSEPR theory.

The nonbonding electron pairs are as important as bonding electron pairs in

determining the structure.
Nonbonding electrons take up more space in the valence shell than the
bonding electrons.
If one or more of the electron pairs are lone pairs, the distribution of electron
pair and the geometrical shape of the molecule must be different.
The bond angles decrease as the number of nonbonding electron pairs
increases
Repulsion strengths
lone pair -lone pair lone pair e-bond pair bond pair-bond pair

Valence bond theory

The covalent bonds are formed by overlap of atomic orbitals each of which
contains one electron of opposite spin.

The valence bond method predicts molecule shapes from the shapes and
orientation of the atomic orbitals and their overlap regions when two atoms
approach.
In most cases the orbitals that overlap are reconfigured orbitals, called hybrid
orbitals, having different shapes and orientations than pure orbitals.
The process of hybridization corresponds to a mathematical mixing of the valenceshell atomic orbitals.

Bonding in Methane

Valence Electron Pair

Geometry

Number of
Orbitals

Hybrid
Orbitals

Linear

sp

Trigonal Planar

sp2

Tetrahedral

sp3

Trigonal Bipyramidal

sp3d

Octahedral

sp3d2

question : find the hybridazation type and geometry of

CH4, PCl5, SF6. NH3 BeF2

Multiple Covalent Bonds