V alence S hell E lectron P air R epulsion Theory Planar triangular Tetrahedral Trigonal pyramidal Bent
VSEPR theory assumes that the shape of a molecule is determined by the repulsion of electron pairs. Molecular Shape
VSEPR Theory Based on Electron Dot (Lewis structures) Theory predicts shapes of compounds abbreviated VSEPR VSEPR (pronounced “vesper”) stands for V alence S hell E lectron P air R epulsion VSEPR predicts shapes based on electron pairs repelling (in bonds or by themselves) Electrons around central nucleus repel each other. So, structures have atoms maximally spread out
VSEPR overview Each shape has a name (you will have to know these ) Names of Shapes: tetrahedral trigonal pyramidal Bent Linear trigonal planar
Triangular Planar Tetrahedral Trigonal pyramidal Linear Bent or V Models
methane, CH 4 Bonds are all evenly spaced electrons 109.5° Tetrahedral
Less repulsion between the bonding pairs of electrons .. ammonia NH 3 .. .. .. Trigonal Pyramidal
.. .. .. 109.5° ( 109.5 °) 109.5° ( 107 °) 109.5° ( 104.5°) water, H 2 O
.. .. ..
Bent or V 2 unshared pairs of e’s at top of O repel bonds and force them to bend