Sanchez Jose Experiment 6

Sanchez 1
Jose Sanchez
Professor Stambouli
10/27/24
VESPR Homework
Focus Questions
1. What is VSEPER theory, and how can it be used to predict molecular shapes?
VSEPER theory stands for Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory and is a model that’s used to
predict the shape of molecules through assuming that electron pairs of atoms around a central atom place
themselves as far as possible from the center. With this in mind, they can use the valence electrons to
place and get a model molecule.
2a. Can the structure of simple molecular substances be illustrated by drawing or building models? Why
and why not?
Simple molecular substances can be illustrated by building models as they have simple
arrangements with simple bond angles which makes putting them together easy and straightforward.
2b. What about more complex molecules
Making complex molecules is more challenging using VSEPR theory as they have many electrons
which will have to be accounted for and placed. For this reason, more complex molecules are rendered
and displayed by computer models.
3. How are models and theories useful in helping to explain the structure and behavior of matter?
They are useful in explaining the structure and behavior of matter as they allow us to visualize how
molecules can interact with each other. For example, a model of ice has a crystalized structure, whereas a
model of liquid water lacks this crystal lattice, informing us on why ice has its characteristics.
Part 1
Molecule Shape Bond Angle Predicted Bond angle

PF6 Octahedral 89.9, 89.4, 90.1, 90.4, 90
90, 89.8,89.8, 89.9,
89.8. 89.8, 90. 90.4
[BrF6]- Octahedral 89.7, 88.6, 91.8, 90. 90
89.3, 89.7, 91.1, 90.
88.6, 89.4, 90.2, 91.8
I3 linear 180 180
In(CH3)3 Trigonal planar 119.6, 116.2, 124.1 120
[BeF4]2- tetrahedral 108.6, 109.7, 108.6, 109.5
109.9, 110.5, 108.6
NH4+ Tetrahedral 108.2, 105.6, 108, 109.5
109.5, 110.3, 114.9
[SbF6]- Octahedral 91.4, 90.1, 89.1, 89.4, 90
89, 90.6, 89.9, 90.6,
88.2, 91, 88.7, 92.1
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Part 2
Molecule Shape
SXeF5 tetrahedral
H2O Square pyramidal
[CIF4] Tetrahedral
SbBr5 2- Square pyramidal
Part 3
Molecule Predicted Actual crystal Predicted Angles Actual Angles
Geometry structure
Si-bromodimethylselenium Trigonal Trigonal 109.5 177.7, 102,
Bipyramidal Bipyramidal 101.2
SO2 Bent Trigonal planar 120 113, 114.2
NH3 Tetrahedral Tetrahedral 107.3 102.9, 101.7,
101.3
Dichloro-diphenyl-selenium Trigonal Trigonal 109.5 175, 90.8, 92.4
Bipyramidal Bipyramidal
Boric Acid Trigonal Trigonal Planar 120 119, 120.2,
Planar 120.7
Post Lab Assessment

1. What are molecular geometries and how do they differ from electron domain geometry?
Molecular geometries are the shapes and angles of the atoms around the central atom of a molecule.
Electron domain geometry is more about the arrangement of electrons to a central atom and how they
affect each other through repulsion.
2. What is the electronic geometry around central atom and describe how many regions of electron
density are in the following molecules?
a. COCl2
Trigonal planar, 3 regions of electron density
b. SiH4
Tetrahedral, 4 regions of electron density
c. PF5
Trigonal Bipyramidal, 5 regions of electron density
d. XeF4Br2
Octahedral, 6 regions of electron density
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3. Is the BF3 molecule symmetrical or unsymmetrical? What about PF3? Explain

BF3 is symmetrical, whereas PF3 is asymmetrical. This is due to BF3 having trigonal planar geometry as
it contains 3 valance electrons, each pairing with the fluorine. PF3 is trigonal pyramidal as it has 5
valance electrons, 3 pairing with fluorine and 2 left over as a lone pair. This lone pair causes a dipole
movement, resulting in the asymmetrical structure.
4. Draw the Lewis structure for ethanol, and dimethyl ether. Predict the molecular geometry and
bond angles around each carbon atom
Ethanol
- Tetrahedral geometry
- 109.5 degrees
Dimethyl Either
- Tetrahedral geometry
- 109.5 degrees
5. Cubane C8H8(s) is a cubic-shaped hydrocarbon with a carbon atom at each corner of the cube.
a. According to the VSEPR theory, what should be the shape around each carbon atom?
What bond angle is associated with this shape?
Due to having 4 bonding pairs, an ideal structure would have the structure be tetrahedral with an angle of
109.5.
b. If you assume an ideal cubic shape, what are the actual bond angles around each carbon?
If assuming an ideal cubic shape, the angles would be at 90 degrees.
c. Explain how your answers to questions 5a and 5b suggest why this molecule is so
unstable
Due to the ideal structure having angles of 109.5 degrees whilst the actual structure having angles of 90
degrees, this means that there are electron forces acting on each other and repelling each other. This can
cause the structure to be weaker and more unstable.
6. What are the steps to determine the shape of a molecule given the formula? Explain and show a
few examples.
1. Look at the formula and determine the bonds, types of bonds and check for valence electrons
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2. Draw out a Lewis dot structure using said formula. For this example, we
use water/H2O. With the formula H2O we can make a dot structure such
as
3. With the Lewis dot structure, we can adjust the structure to align with VSEPER theory and
make the lone pairs align themselves as far as possible from the center to
prevent repulsion.
4. Use this structure to draw or build on a computer a model of the given
molecule.

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Sanchez 1

Molecule Shape Bond Angle Predicted Bond angle

Post Lab Assessment

3. Is the BF3 molecule symmetrical or unsymmetrical? What about PF3? Explain

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