PREDICTING THE SHAPES OF MOLECULES

To predict the shape of a molecule using the VSEPR Theory, you must draw the Lewis Dot structure and then consider the repulsions of the electron groups in the molecule.

Number of Electron Pairs			Shape of Molecule or Ion	Examples
Total	Bonding	Nonbonding	Shape of Molecule or Ion	Examples
2	2	0	linear	HgCl₂, CuCl₂^-
3	3	0	trigonal planar	BF₃, HgCl₃^-
3	2	1	angular	SnCl₂, NO₂^-
4	4	0	tetrahedral	CH₄, BF₄^-
4	3	1	trigonal pyramidal	NH₃, PF₃
4	2	2	angular	H₂O, ICl₂⁺
5	5	0	trigonal bipyramidal	PCl₃, SnCl₅^-
5	4	1	irregular tetrahedral	TeCl₄, IF4⁺
5	3	2	T-shaped	ClF₃, BrF₃
5	2	3	linear	XeF₂, ICl₂^-
6	6	0	octahedral	SF₆, PF₆^-
6	5	1	square pyramidal	IF₃, SbF₃^2-
6	4	2	square planar	BrF₄^-, XeF₄

Predict the shapes of the following compounds:

(a) ONF

(b) SO₄^2-

(d) CO₃^2-

(e) PBr₅