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Chemistry 201 > VSEPR > Flashcards

VSEPR Flashcards

1
Q

What does VSEPR diagrams help us with?

A

Help predict the shape of covalently bonded molecules or polyatomic ions, and figure out bond angles

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2
Q
A
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3
Q

What do VSEPR and molecular geometries provide that lewis diagrams can’t?

A

They provide bond angles that help predict the shape of covalently bound molecules or polyatomic ions.
- Also in 3D

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4
Q

What is the VSEPR theory?

A
  • Electron pairs position themselves as far away as possible
  • Geometry of an atom is determined by minimizing electrostatic repulsion between valence electron pairs
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5
Q

What are electron domains?

A

Regions in space where valence electron density can be found in a molecule
- There are non bonding domains and bonding domains

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6
Q

What are bonding pair and lone pair electrons?

A
  • Bonding pair (BP) electrons are localized between two nuclei
  • Lone pair (LP) electrons is on a single atom
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7
Q

Where are electrostatic repulsions highest?

A

They are highest among two sets of lone pair electrons

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8
Q

What is a central atom?

A

An atom that has two or more bonding domains

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9
Q

What is a terminal atom?

A

Only bonded to the central atom (has one bonding domain)

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10
Q

What are the rules for VSEPR and molecular geometries?

A
  • No geometry for atoms with one electron domain (like hydrogen)
  • If you have equivalent resonance forms, you use the resonance hybrid for the geometrical structure
  • If you have a non equivalent resonance forms, you use the most significant lewis diagram for geometrical structure
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11
Q

What are the characteristics of a linear VSEPR diagram?

A
  • 2 bonding electron domains
  • 180 degree bond angle between the two bonds
  • No lone pair electrons on the central atom
  • Molecular Geometry: linear
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12
Q

What are the characteristics of a trigonal planar VSEPR diagram?

A
  • Central atom surrounded by 3 atoms
  • 3 bonding domains
  • 120 degree angle between bonds
  • Molecular Geometry: trigonal planar

The exception is Oxygen (CO2) which has 3 domains but also had a bent structure
- Trigonal planar
- No molecular geometry
- No bond angle around oxygen
- Terminal oxygens have no shape

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13
Q

What are the characteristics of a trigonal planar with one lone pair VSEPR diagram?

A
  • Central atom with 1 lone pair and 2 bonding domains
  • 120 degree bond angle
  • Molecular Geometry: bent
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14
Q

What are the characteristics of a tetrahedral VSEPR diagram?

A
  • 4 electron domains
  • Central atom surrounded by 4 bonding domains
  • 109.5 degree bond angle
  • Molecular geometry: tetrahedral
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15
Q

What are the characteristics of a tetrahedral with a lone pair VSEPR diagram?

A
  • Central atom surrounded by 3 bonding domains and 1 lone pair
  • 107.5 degree bond angle
  • Molecular geometry: trigonal pyramidal
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16
Q

What are the characteristics of a tetrahedral with 2 lone pairs VSEPR diagram?

A
  • Central atom surrounded by 2 bonding domains and 2 lone pairs
  • 109.5 degree bond angle
  • Molecular geometry: bent
17
Q

What are the characteristics of a trigonal bipyramidal VSEPR diagram?

A
  • Central atom surrounded by 5 bonding domains
  • 120 degree bond angle between equatorial bonds (on the side)
  • 90 degree bond between axial bonds
  • Molecular geometry: trigonal bipyramidal
18
Q

What are the characteristics of a trigonal bipyramidal with a lone pair VSEPR diagram?

A
  • Central atom has 4 bonding domains and 1 lone pair
  • < 120, < 180, < 90
  • Lone pairs take equatorial position
  • Molecular geometry: Seesaw
  • Sizes and electronegativities of exterior atoms (electron density on bonds) also affect bond angles
19
Q

What are the characteristics of a trigonal bipyramidal with 2 lone pairs VSEPR diagram?

A
  • Central atom surrounded by 3 bonding domains and 2 lone pairs
  • Bond angles < 180, < 90 degrees
  • Molecular geometry: T-shaped
  • Lone pairs occupy equatorial position
20
Q

What are the characteristics of a trigonal bipyramidal with 3 lone pairs VSEPR diagram?

A
  • Central atom surrounded by 2 bonding domains and 3 lone pairs
  • 180 degree bond angle
  • Molecular geometry: linear
21
Q

What are the characteristics of a octahedral VSEPR diagram?

A
  • Central atom surrounded by 6 bonding domains
  • Bond angle between opposite groups is 180 degrees
  • Bond angle between adjacent groups is 90 degrees
  • Molecular geometry: octahedral
22
Q

What are the characteristics of a octahedral with a lone pair VSEPR diagram?

A
  • Central atom surrounded by 5 bonding domains and one lone pair
  • Bond angle of < 180, < 90 degrees
  • Molecular geometry: square pyramidal
23
Q

What are the characteristics of a octahedral with 2 lone pairs VSEPR diagram?

A
  • Central atom surrounded by 4 bonding domains and 2 lone pairs
  • 180 and 90 degree bond angle
  • Molecular geometry: square planar
24
Q

What is stereochemistry?

A

The relative spatial arrangement of atoms within molecules

Chemistry 201 (10 decks)

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