VSEPR Model and Molecular Geometries

Vocabulary flashcards covering VSEPR model electron-domain and molecular geometries, hybridization, bond angles, polarity, and example compounds.

VSEPR Model

A model used to predict the geometry of molecules based on the repulsion between electron domains surrounding a central atom.

Linear Electron-Domain Geometry

The geometry corresponding to 2 electron domains around a central atom with $sp$ hybridization and a ideal bond angle of $180^\times$ or $180^\text{o}$.

Trigonal Planar Electron-Domain Geometry

The geometry corresponding to 3 electron domains around a central atom with $sp^2$ hybridization.

Tetrahedral Electron-Domain Geometry

The geometry corresponding to 4 electron domains around a central atom with $sp^3$ hybridization and ideal bond angles of $109.5^\text{o}$.

Trigonal Bipyramidal Electron-Domain Geometry

The geometry corresponding to 5 electron domains around a central atom with $sp^3d$ hybridization.

Octahedral Electron-Domain Geometry

The geometry corresponding to 6 electron domains around a central atom with $sp^3d^2$ hybridization and $90^\text{o}$ bond angles.

$AB_2$ Molecular Geometry

A nonpolar, linear molecular geometry with 2 bonding domains, 0 nonbonding domains, and a $180^\text{o}$ bond angle (e.g., $CO_2$).

$AB_3$ Molecular Geometry

A nonpolar, trigonal planar molecular geometry with 3 bonding domains, 0 nonbonding domains, and a $120^\text{o}$ bond angle (e.g., $BF_3$).

$AB_2E$ Molecular Geometry

A polar, bent molecular geometry resulting from 3 electron domains (2 bonding, 1 nonbonding) with a bond angle of $<120^\text{o}$.

$AB_4$ Molecular Geometry

A nonpolar, tetrahedral molecular geometry with 4 bonding domains, 0 nonbonding domains, and bond angles of $109.5^\text{o}$.

$AB_3E$ Molecular Geometry

A polar, trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry with 3 bonding domains and 1 nonbonding domain, featuring bond angles of $\text{approx. } 107^\text{o}$ or $<109.5^\text{o}$ (e.g., $NH_3$).

$AB_2E_2$ Molecular Geometry

A polar, bent molecular geometry resulting from 4 electron domains (2 bonding, 2 nonbonding) with bond angles $<109.5^\text{o}$ (e.g., $H_2O$).

$AB_5$ Molecular Geometry

A nonpolar, trigonal bipyramidal molecular geometry with 5 bonding domains, 0 nonbonding domains, and bond angles of $90^\text{o}$ and $120^\text{o}$ (e.g., $PCl_5$).

$AB_4E$ Molecular Geometry

A polar, seesaw molecular geometry with 4 bonding domains and 1 nonbonding domain, featuring bond angles of $<90^\text{o}$ and $<120^\text{o}$ (e.g., $SF_4$).

$AB_3E_2$ Molecular Geometry

A polar, T-shaped molecular geometry with 3 bonding domains and 2 nonbonding domains, featuring bond angles of $<90^\text{o}$ (e.g., $ClF_3$).

$AB_2E_3$ Molecular Geometry

A nonpolar, linear molecular geometry resulting from 5 electron domains (2 bonding, 3 nonbonding) with a bond angle of $180^\text{o}$ (e.g., $XeF_2$).

$AB_6$ Molecular Geometry

A nonpolar, octahedral molecular geometry with 6 bonding domains, 0 nonbonding domains, and bond angles of $90^\text{o}$ (e.g., $SF_6$).

$AB_5E$ Molecular Geometry

A polar, square pyramidal molecular geometry with 5 bonding domains and 1 nonbonding domain, featuring bond angles of $<90^\text{o}$ (e.g., $BrF_5$).

$AB_4E_2$ Molecular Geometry

A nonpolar, square planar molecular geometry with 4 bonding domains and 2 nonbonding domains, featuring bond angles of $90^\text{o}$ (e.g., $XeF_4$).