12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Molecular Geometry
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Center elements with 6 electron groups can have 0 to 2 lone pairs to give 3 possible molecular geometries. So if we have 6 electron groups, the combinations that exist are, we can have 6 bonding groups, which are surrounding elements and 0 lone pairs, or we can have 5 surrounding elements and 1 lone pair, or we can have 4 surrounding elements and 2 lone pairs on the central element. Here we have some good examples of this. Here we have sulfur hexafluoride. Here we have chlorine pettabromide, and then here we have xenon tetrachloride. Now the visualizations. For sulfur hexafluoride, we have sulfur in the center with its 6 surrounding elements, 6 surrounding fluorines. Here the molecular geometry would be octahedral. For the next one, we have chlorine pentabromide, and if we were to visually show it, we can see that it looks like a pyramid, and this pyramid has a base that's square shaped. So that's why its name is square pyramidal. So just remember, if you have a central element that has 5 surrounding elements and one lone pair, it's square pyramidal. Then finally, the last one here, we have 4 surrounding elements in 2 lone pairs. Here, it would take on a square shape, and here it's on a flat plane. So that's why this is called square planar or square planar. So these are the 3 molecular geometries that exist if you're dealing with 6 electron groups on your central element.
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