VESPR table

Page 1:

  • Using VSEPR to predict the shapes of molecules

  • Electron groups and lone pairs determine the shape of a molecule

    • Electron groups include bonds, lone pairs, and odd electrons

    • Multiple bonds count as one electron group

  • Different shapes and bond angles for different numbers of electron groups

  • AX2: Linear shape, bond angle of 180°, nonpolar

  • AX3: Trigonal planar shape, bond angle of 120°, nonpolar

  • AX2E: Bent shape, bond angle less than 120°, polar

  • AX4: Tetrahedral shape, bond angle of 109.5°, nonpolar

  • AX3E: Trigonal pyramidal shape, bond angle less than 109.5°, polar

  • AX2E2: Bent shape, bond angle less than 109.5°, polar

Page 2:

  • More shapes and bond angles for different numbers of electron groups

  • AX5: Trigonal bipyramidal shape, bond angles of 90° and 120°, nonpolar

  • AX4E: Seesaw shape, bond angles less than 120° and 90°, polar

  • AX3E2: T-shaped shape, bond angle less than 90°, polar

  • AX6: Octahedral shape, bond angle of 90°, nonpolar

  • AX5E: Square pyramidal shape, bond angle less than 90°, polar

  • AX4E2: Square planar shape, bond angle of 90