Chapter 7, Problem 7.13QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: From the given molecule the geometry around each of the central atom should be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Molecular geometry: It is defined as unique three dimensional arrangements of atoms around the central metal present in the molecule which is determined by using spectroscopic techniques and also by using Lewis structure or the valence shell electron pair repulsion theory (VSEPR).

VSEPR Theory:

As the name itself indicates that the basis for this theory is the electron pair that is bonded electron present in either single or double bonds or lone pair electrons, present in the valence shell tends to repel each other which then the tends to be in position in order to minimize the repulsions. The steps involved in the theory in describing the geometry is as follows,

• The first step is to draw the correct Lewis structure for the molecule.
• Then, the electron domain around the central atom should be counted and the geometry that matches with that type of domain in VSEPR should be determined.
• Finally, the geometry is predicted by using the orientation of atoms.

If the molecules (${\text{AB}}_{\text{2}}$) have two atoms bonded with the central atom then the molecular geometry by considering the orientation of atoms is linear if it has lone of electron over the central atom then the molecular geometry will be bent.

The molecules of type ${\text{AB}}_3$ will have shape like trigonal planar and if the molecules has lone pairs then the molecular geometry will be tetrahedral.

The molecules of type ${\text{AB}}_4$ will have shape like tetrahedral, and geometry of type ${\text{AB}}_5$ will have trigonal bipyramidal and ${\text{AB}}_6$ will have shape like octahedral respectively.

Lewis structure for any molecule is drawn by using the following steps,

First the skeletal structure for the given molecule is drawn then the total number of valence electrons for all atoms present in the molecule is determined

The next step is to subtract the electrons present in the total number of bonds present in the skeletal structure of the molecule with the total valence electrons such that considering each bond contains two electrons with it.

Finally, the electrons which got after subtractions have to be equally distributed such that each atom contains eight electrons in its valence shell.

Electron Domain: In VSEPR theory, both the lone pair and the bonded pair are together considered as electron domain regardless of the type of bond in which the bonded pair presents.

To determine: The geometry for the three central atoms present in the given molecule.