Q94E - Chemistry (OpenStax)

Question

Predict the electron pair geometry and the molecular structure of each of the following ions:

1. \({{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{{\rm{O}}^{\rm{ + }}}\,\)
2. \({\rm{PC}}{{\rm{l}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{ - }}\)
3. \({\rm{SnC}}{{\rm{l}}_{\rm{3}}}^{\rm{ - }}\)
4. \({\rm{BrC}}{{\rm{l}}_{\rm{4}}}^{\rm{ - }}\)
5. \({\rm{IC}}{{\rm{l}}_{\rm{3}}}\)
6. \({\rm{Xe}}{{\rm{F}}_{\rm{4}}}\)
7. \({\rm{S}}{{\rm{F}}_{\rm{2}}}\)

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Electron-pair geometry considers the placement of all electrons. Molecular structure considers only the bonding-pair geometry.

Step 1: Concept Introduction

The three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in a molecule is predicted by the VSEPR theory. It states that valence electrons will adopt an electron-pair shape that reduces repulsions between high-electrons-density locations (bonds and/or lone pairs).

Step 2: Find the electron pair geometry and the molecular structure

Therefore, the arrangement of all electrons is taken into account in electron-pair geometry. Only the bonding-pair geometry is taken into account in molecular structure.