VSEPR Theory

Purpose

Show the shapes of VSEPR in a physical representation.

Procedure

Using the giant molecular model kit, assemble representative models of the basic shapes. Models should be already built.

Potential VSEPR Models

Octahedral / Square Bipyramidal

# Bond Clouds	# Lone Pair Clouds	Total # of Clouds	Arrangement of ALL Electron Clouds	Arrangement of Atoms	Hybridization	Bond Angle	Example
6	0	6	Octahedral / Square Bipyramidal	Octahedral / Square Bipyramidal	sp³d²	90	SF₆
5	1	6	Octahedral / Square Bipyramidal	Square Pyramidal	sp³d²	<90	BrF₅
4	2	6	Octahedral / Square Bipyramidal	Square Planar	sp³d²	90	XeF₄

Trigonal Bipyramidal

# Bond Clouds	# Lone Pair Clouds	Total # of Clouds	Arrangement of ALL Electron Clouds	Arrangement of Atoms	Hybridization	Bond Angle	Example
5	0	5	Trigonal Bipyramidal	Trigonal Bipyramidal	sp³d	120 (equilateral), 90 (axial)	PCl₅
4	1	5	Trigonal Bipyramidal	Seesaw	sp³d	<120 (equilateral), <90 (axial)	SF₄
3	2	5	Trigonal Bipyramidal	T-shaped	sp³d	<90	BrF₃
2	3	5	Trigonal Bipyramidal	Linear	sp³d	180	XeF₂

Tetrahedral

# Bond Clouds	# Lone Pair Clouds	Total # of Clouds	Arrangement of ALL Electron Clouds	Arrangement of Atoms	Hybridization	Bond Angle	Example
4	0	4	Tetrahedral	Tetrahedral	sp³	109.5	CH₄
3	1	4	Tetrahedral	Triangular Pyramidal	sp³	107	NH₃
2	2	4	Tetrahedral	Bent	sp³	104.5	H₂O

Planar Shapes

# Bond Clouds	# Lone Pair Clouds	Total # of Clouds	Arrangement of ALL Electron Clouds	Arrangement of Atoms	Hybridization	Bond Angle	Example
3	0	3	Planar	Trigonal Planar	sp²	~120	H₂CO
2	1	3	Tetrahedral	Bent	sp²	~120	SO₂
2	0	2	Linear	Linear	sp	180	CO₂