The concept of valence-shell electron-pair repulsion (VSEPR) is presented in introductory organic chemistry as a way to predict molecular geometries. The idea be- hind VSEPR is that areas of electron density repel each other so that the geometry of bonds and/or lone pairs of electrons around any one atom places these areas as far apart as possible. For four areas of electron density, a tetrahedral geometry is predicted. For three areas of electron density, a trigonal planar geometry is predicted. Two areas of electron density lead to a linear geometry. VSEPR is simply a predictive tool, but in some cases, it gives an incorrect prediction. In these instances, additional insights into bonding are necessary, such as resonance. Interestingly, several important situations are critical to biochemistry where VSEPR breaks down. Two examples are shown here. :O: CH3 H,N H3N CH3 H :0: :0: Histidine The circled nitrogen atoms are predicted by VSEPR to be tetrahedral in geometry because each appears to have four areas of electron density: three bonds and a single lone pair of electrons. However, in both cases, structural analysis has revealed that the atoms actually have a trigonal planar geometry.
The molecule shown on the right in the example in the right column is the amino acid histidine, and the five-membered ring is known as
1. There are a total of six electrons in the pi system (defined as electrons in 2p orbitals), including the lone pair on the ring N that is not circled.
2. There are a total of six electrons in the pi system, including the lone pair on the ring N atom that is circled.
3. The lone pair on the ring N atom that is not circled resides in an sp2 orbital on an sp2 hybridized nitrogen atom.
4. Statements 2 and 3 are both true
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