VSEPR theory predicts the arrangement of electron pairs around each central atom and, usually, the correct arrangement of atoms in a molecule. The electrostatic repulsion of these electrons is reduced when the various regions of high electron density assume positions as far from each other as possible. The electrons in the valence shell of a central atom form either bonding pairs of electrons, located primarily between bonded atoms, or lone pairs. The VSEPR model assumes that electron pairs in the valence shell of a central atom will adopt an arrangement that minimizes repulsions between these electron pairs by maximizing the distance between them. Valence shell electron-pair repulsion theory (VSEPR theory) enables us to predict the molecular structure, including approximate bond angles around a central atom, of a molecule from an examination of the number of bonds and lone electron pairs in its Lewis structure. Bond distances (lengths) and angles are shown for the formaldehyde molecule, H 2CO. Bond distances are measured in Ångstroms (1 Å = 10 –10 m) or picometers (1 pm = 10 –12 m, 100 pm = 1 Å). A bond distance (or bond length) is the distance between the nuclei of two bonded atoms along the straight line joining the nuclei. A bond angle is the angle between any two bonds that include a common atom, usually measured in degrees. However, molecular structure is actually three-dimensional, and it is important to be able to describe molecular bonds in terms of their distances, angles, and relative arrangements in space ( Figure 1). Thus far, we have used two-dimensional Lewis structures to represent molecules. Assess the polarity of a molecule based on its bonding and structure.Explain the concepts of polar covalent bonds and molecular polarity.Predict the structures of small molecules using valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory.By the end of this section, you will be able to:
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