12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory

Write orbital diagrams (boxes with arrows in them) to represent the electron configurations—without hybridization—for all the atoms in PH₃. Circle the electrons involved in bonding. Draw a three-dimensional sketch of the molecule and show orbital overlap. What bond angle do you expect from the unhybridized orbitals? How well does valence bond theory agree with the experimentally measured bond angle of 93.3°?

Sketch the antibonding molecular orbital that results from the linear combination of two 1s orbitals. Indicate the region where interference occurs and state the type of interference (constructive or destructive).