Pantoja Mary Rose BSA 1-1 CS Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory Valence shell electron pair repulsion theory, VSEPR, is a super-simple technique for predicting the shape or geometry of atomic centres in small molecules and molecular ions: Crucially, atomic centres with VSEPR determined geometry can be joined together into molecular entities like cyclohexane and glucose: This molecular building-block logic can be extended, enabling large biomolecular structures like DNA to be modelled and understood: The VSEPR Technique Six or so steps are required to g enerate the VSEPR geometry of an atomic centre such as:
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Xenon in xenon tetrafluoride, XeF4Iodine in the iodide difluoride ion, [IF2] –
First, determine the number of electrons in the outer (valence) shell about the central
atom (C, N, Xe, I, etc.):
Carbon, for example has four valence electrons, nitrogen 5, etc.
Second, find valency and number of electrons associated with the ligand X:
Third, construct a valid Lewis structure of the molecule in question showing all of the bonds and all of the lone pairs (nonbonded pairs) of electrons.
If the structure is a molecular ion, add one valence electron for each negative charge
and remove one valence electron for each positive charge.
Methane, CH4, ammonia, NH3, the ammonium ion, [NH4]+ and the nitranion (amide
ion), [NH2] – , [above] all have eight electrons in the valence shell of the central atomand all have a total coordination number of 4.
Fifth, the overall geometry of the atomic centre is determined by the mutual repulsion
between the electron pairs of the total coordination number.
The effect can be replicated by holding 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 balloons together:
2 Balloons give a linear geometry3 Balloons give a trigonal planar geometry
4 Balloons give a tetrahedral geometry
5 Balloons give a trigonal bipyramidal geometry6 Balloons give an octahedral geometry
Sixth, there two adjustments are required by the VSEPR method to find the geometry
of an atomic centre:
Lone pairs of electrons (nonbonded pairs) are taken into account in determining the
total coordination number and VSEPR geometry, but they are NOT used
when defining the geometry of an atomic centre, only the atoms are used:
For example, the oxygen of water has two bonded electron pairs (green) and twononbonded "lone" electron pairs (blue) giving a total VSEPR coordination number of
4.
But the geometry is defined by the relationship between the H-O-H atoms and water is said to be "bent" or "angular" shape of 104.5°.