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Valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory (/ ˈ v ɛ s p ər, v ə ˈ s ɛ p ər / VESP-ər, [1]: 410 və-SEP-ər [2]) is a model used in chemistry to predict the geometry of individual molecules from the number of electron pairs surrounding their central atoms. [3]
Molecular structure of ammonia and its three-dimensional shape. It has a net dipole moment of 1.484 D. Dot and cross structure of ammonia. The ammonia molecule has a trigonal pyramidal shape, as predicted by the valence shell electron pair repulsion theory (VSEPR theory) with an experimentally determined bond angle of 106.7°. [36]
Molecular geometry is the three-dimensional arrangement of the atoms that constitute a molecule. It includes the general shape of the molecule as well as bond lengths , bond angles , torsional angles and any other geometrical parameters that determine the position of each atom.
This would result in the geometry of a regular tetrahedron with each bond angle equal to arccos(− 1 / 3 ) ≈ 109.5°. However, the three hydrogen atoms are repelled by the electron lone pair in a way that the geometry is distorted to a trigonal pyramid (regular 3-sided pyramid) with bond angles of 107°.
Lone pair is a concept used in valence shell electron pair repulsion theory (VSEPR theory) which explains the shapes of molecules. They are also referred to in the chemistry of Lewis acids and bases. However, not all non-bonding pairs of electrons are considered by chemists to be lone pairs.
Against the expectations of VSEPR theory but consistent with Bent's rule, the bond angles of ammonia (NH 3) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF 3) are 107° and 102°, respectively. Unlike VSEPR theory , whose theoretical foundations now appear shaky, Bent's rule is still considered to be an important principle in modern treatments of bonding.
The linear molecular geometry describes the geometry around a central atom bonded to two other atoms (or ligands) placed at a bond angle of 180°. Linear organic molecules , such as acetylene ( HC≡CH ), are often described by invoking sp orbital hybridization for their carbon centers.
Nonlinear geometry is commonly observed for other triatomic molecules and ions containing only main group elements, prominent examples being nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), sulfur dichloride (SCl 2), and methylene (CH 2). This geometry is almost always consistent with VSEPR theory, which usually explains non-collinearity of atoms with a presence of ...