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Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion

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17 views

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion

Uploaded by

Alken Maala
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory is a model used in chemistry to predict
the geometry of molecules. The theory is based on the idea that electron pairs around a
central atom will arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize repulsive forces,
giving each molecule a distinct 3D shape. Here’s a breakdown of the key points of VSEPR
theory:

1. Electron Domains

 VSEPR considers the total number of electron domains (regions of electron density)
around the central atom. Electron domains include:
o Bonding pairs: electrons shared between atoms, forming bonds.
o Lone pairs: non-bonding electrons that occupy space around the central atom.

2. Minimizing Repulsion

 Since electron pairs are negatively charged, they repel each other. The goal of electron
pairs is to stay as far apart as possible, which helps to predict molecular shapes.

3. Molecular Shapes Based on Electron Domains

 Each arrangement of electron pairs leads to a specific molecular geometry:


o 2 electron domains: Linear (e.g., BeCl₂), 180° bond angles.
o 3 electron domains: Trigonal planar (e.g., BF₃), 120° bond angles.
o 4 electron domains: Tetrahedral (e.g., CH₄), 109.5° bond angles.
o 5 electron domains: Trigonal bipyramidal (e.g., PCl₅), 90° and 120° bond
angles.
o 6 electron domains: Octahedral (e.g., SF₆), 90° bond angles.

4. Effect of Lone Pairs

 Lone pairs take up more space than bonding pairs, as they are only localized around
the central atom. This causes distortions:
o For instance, in NH₃ (ammonia), with one lone pair and three bonding pairs, the
shape is trigonal pyramidal instead of tetrahedral.
o In H₂O (water), with two lone pairs, the shape becomes bent.

5. Applications

 VSEPR theory helps predict molecular shape, which in turn influences physical and
chemical properties such as polarity, reactivity, phase of matter, and color.
H line - side

H C broken line - back


H
H wedge - front

Molecule Number of Lewis Dot Diagram Line-wedge-dash


Electrons
H2S

SiCl

C2H2

XeF2

CH2O

C2H6

SF2

BrF3

SiO2

PCl3

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