Molecular Geometry: Bond Angles (with pictures)

exam 4, chem 115, WVU fall '25

AX₂ shape

linear

AX₂ bond angle

180

AX₃ shape

trigonal planar

AX₃ bond angle

120

AX₄ shape

tetrahedral

AX₄ bond angle

109.5

AX₅ shape

trigonal bipyramidal

AX₅ bond angle

90 (axial), 120 (equatorial)

AX₆ shape

octahedral

AX₆ bond angle

90

AX₂E₁ shape

bent

AX₂E₁ bond angle

119

AX₂E₂ shape

tetrahedral, nonlinear bent

AX₂E₂ bond angle

109.5

AX₂E₃ shape

trigonal bipyramidal, linear

AX₂E₃ bond angle

180

AX₃E₁ shape

trigonal pyramidal

AX₃E₁ bond angle

109.5

AX₃E₂ shape

trigonal bipyramidal, T-shaped

AX₃E₂ bond angle

less than 90, less than 180

AX₃E₃ shape

octahedral, T-shaped

AX₃E₃ bond angle

less than 90, greater than 180

In trigonal bipyramidal molecules, ___ positions are taken first by valence electrons

equatorial

AX₄E₁ shape

distorted tetrahedral

AX₄E₁ bond angle

less than 90, less than 120

AX₄E₂ shape

square planar

AX₄E₂ bond angle

less than 90

AX₅E₁ shape

square pyramidal

AX₅E₁ bond angle

90