Molecular Geometry & VSEPR Theory

2 e- groups

Linear

Hybridization of linear molecule

sp

Angle of linear molecule

3 e- groups

Trigonal Planar

Trigonal Planar Hybridization

sp2

Trigonal Planar bond angles

120 degrees

3 e-groups, 0 lone pairs

Trigonal Planar

3 e- groups, 1 lone pair

Bent

Angle between lower atoms in molecule with bent geometry

<120 degrees (because of the repulsion caused by the lone pairs on top)

4 e- groups

Tetrahedral

Angles in Tetrahedral shape

about 109.5

Tetrahedral hybridization

sp3

4 e- groups, 1 lone pair

Trigonal pyramidal

Angles between bottom atoms in trigonal pyramidal shape

<109 degrees (because of repulsion caused by lone pair on top)

4 e- groups, 2 lone pairs

Bent

Angles between lower atoms in bent shape (tetrahedral)

<109.5 (because of repulsion caused by lone pairs on top)

5 e- groups

Trigonal Bipyramidal

5 e- groups, 0 lone pairs 

Trigonal Bipyramidal

5 e- groups, 1 lone pair

Seesaw

Angles between atoms in trigonal bipyramidal shape 

90 degrees & 120 degrees

Angles in seesaw shape (trigonal bipyramidal)

<90 degrees & <120 degrees (because of lone pair repulsion)

5 e- groups, 2 lone pairs

T-shaped

Angles between atoms in T-shape (trigonal bipyramidal)

<90 degrees because of lone pair repulsion

5 e- groups, 3 lone pairs 

Linear 

Angles between “top” and “bottom” atoms in molecule with linear (trigonal bipyramidal) shape

180 degrees

6 e- groups

Octahedral

6 e- groups, 0 lone pairs

Octahedral

Angle between “top” and below atoms of molecule with octahedral shape

90 degrees

6 e- groups, 1 lone pair

Square pyramidal

Angle between “bottom” atoms in a molecule with square pyramidal shape 

<90 degrees (because of repulsion caused by lone pair on top)

6 e- groups, 2 lone pairs

Square planar

Angles between “side” atoms in molecule with square planar shape (lone pairs on top and bottom, whole two atoms on each side of central atom)

90 degrees