Molecular Shapes for VSEPR theory

Linear

Linear

• Electron Domains: 2

• Lone Pairs: 0

• Bond Angle: 180°

• Polarity: Nonpolar (if atoms are identical)

• Example: CO₂

Trigonal Planar

• Electron Domains: 3

• Lone Pairs: 0

• Bond Angle: 120°

• Polarity: Nonpolar (if atoms are identical)

• Example: BF₃

Bent (trigonal planar)

Electron Domains: 3

• Lone Pairs: 1

• Bond Angle: <120° (~117°)

• Polarity: Polar

• Example: SO₂

Tetrahedral

• Electron Domains: 4

• Lone Pairs: 0

• Bond Angle: 109.5°

• Polarity: Nonpolar (if atoms are identical)

• Example: CH₄

Trigonal pyramidal (tetrahedral)

• Electron Domains: 4

• Lone Pairs: 1

• Bond Angle: <109.5° (~107°)

• Polarity: Polar

• Example: NH₃

Bent (tetrahedral)

• Electron Domains: 4

• Lone Pairs: 2

• Bond Angle: <109.5° (~104.5°)

• Polarity: Polar

• Example: H₂O

Trigonal bipyramidal

• Electron Domains: 5

• Lone Pairs: 0

• Bond Angle: 90° (axial), 120° (equatorial)

• Polarity: Nonpolar (if atoms are identical)

• Example: PCl₅

Seesaw

• Electron Domains: 5

• Lone Pairs: 1

• Bond Angle: <90° (axial), <120° (equatorial)

• Polarity: Polar

• Example: SF₄

T-shaped

• Electron Domains: 5

• Lone Pairs: 2

• Bond Angle: <90°

• Polarity: Polar

• Example: ClF₃

Linear (Trigonal bipyramidal)

• Electron Domains: 5

• Lone Pairs: 3

• Bond Angle: 180°

• Polarity: Nonpolar (if atoms are identical)

• Example: XeF₂

Octahedral

• Electron Domains: 6

• Lone Pairs: 0

• Bond Angle: 90°

• Polarity: Nonpolar (if atoms are identical)

• Example: SF₆

Square pyramidal (octahedral)

• Electron Domains: 6

• Lone Pairs: 1

• Bond Angle: <90°

• Polarity: Polar

• Example: BrF₅

Square planar (octahedral)

• Electron Domains: 6

• Lone Pairs: 2

• Bond Angle: 90°

• Polarity: Nonpolar (if atoms are identical)

• Example: XeF₄