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Objectives:
• Describe VSEPR Theory
• Describe molecular geometry of molecules
• Compare strength of intermolecular forces
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Sect 6.5 Molecular Geometry
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory (VSEPR)
Animation of Different Molecular Shapes
http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/science/cmc/cim/animations/ch8_2.swf
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Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory
http://www.bcpl.net/~kdrews/molegeo/molegeo2.html#Valence%20Shell
http://www.up.ac.za/academic/chem/mol_geom/mol_geometry.htm
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory is a concept that is used to interpret
the geometric patterns employed by atoms and molecules in systems that are
covalently bonded. The Theory is based on the idea that all the electron pairs that are
directly attached to an atom, whether as bonded pairs or nonbonded pairs, will
arrange themselves to be as far away from each other as possible. They will adopt a
shape so that the repulsions between these pairs will be evenly distributed and at a
minimum. As a result of these repulsions, the individual atoms will achieve specific
types of geometry.
In this context, a group is a bonded atom or a nonbonded electron pair.
Single bonds, double bonds and triple bonds are basically treated as if
they are all the same.
If two groups are attached to an atom, then the geometry is linear.
Electron Pair Geometry: AX2(2 BP)
Molecular Geometry: Linear Examples
Example: CO2
If three groups are attached to an atom, then the geometry is
trigonal planar.
Electron Pair Geometry: AX3 (3BP or 2BP + 1LP)
Examples
Molecular Geometry: AX3 Molecular Geometry:
Trigonal Planar AX2E1 Bent/Angular
If four groups are attached to an atom, then the geometry is
tetrahedral.
Electron Pair Geometry: AX4 [4BP or (3BP + 1LP) or (2BP + 2LP)]
If five groups are attached to an atom, then the geometry is
trigonal.
If six groups are attached to an atom, then the geometry is
octahedral.
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VSEPR tutorial (3D modeling of compounds)
http://cost.georgiasouthern.edu/chemistry/general/molecule/tutorial/index.htm
Download Chime
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Intermolecular Forces: Forces of attraction between molecules
vary in strength but are weaker
than actual ionic or covalent bonds
Boiling point of a substance is a good way to measure strength of
intermolecular forces as molecules separate from one another when
they turn from a liquid to a gas.
Table 67 p. 190
Scroll down for models of different forces
http://cost.georgiasouthern.edu/chemistry/g
eneral/molecule/forces.htm
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Molecular Polarity and DipoleDipole Forces
Polar covalent molecules are
sometimes described as "dipoles",
meaning that the molecule has two
"poles". One end (pole) of the
molecule has a partial positive charge
while the other end has a partial
negative charge. The molecules will
orientate themselves so that the
opposite charges attract principle
operates effectively.
In the example on the left,
hydrochloric acid is a polar molecule
with the partial positive charge on the
hydrogen and the partial negative
charge on the chlorine. A network of
partial + and charges attract
molecules to each other.
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/160Aintermolec.html
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Even if the bonds
are polar, the
overall molecule
can be nonpolar if
the dipoles
balance out.
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Hydrogen Bonding
really a special case of dipole forces
Hydrogen bonding occurs when a hydrogen atom is covalently bonded to a small highly
electronegative atom such as O, N, or F. The result is a polar molecule. The hydrogen atom has a
partial positive charge δ+ and is attracted to an unshared pair of electrons in a nearby molecule.
An important example is water:
Hydrogen bonds are found throughout nature. They give water its unique properties that are
so important to life on earth. Hydrogen bonds between hydrogen atoms and nitrogen atoms
of adjacent base pairs provide the intermolecular force that bind together the two strands in
a molecule of DNA.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermolecular_force
http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/water/hbondeasy.html
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London-Disperson Forces
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A very approximate strength order would be:
Summary of intermolecular forces (scroll down for animations)
http://cost.georgiasouthern.edu/chemistry/general/molecule/forces.htm
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Works Cited
http://cost.georgiasouthern.edu/chemistry/general/molecule/forces.htm
http://www.bcpl.net/~kdrews/molegeo/molegeo2.html#Valence%20Shell
http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/water/hbondeasy.html
http://cost.georgiasouthern.edu/chemistry/general/molecule/forces.htm
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/atoms/bonding/hbond.html
http://cost.georgiasouthern.edu/chemistry/general/molecule/tutorial/index.htm
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/160Aintermolec.html
http://www.up.ac.za/academic/chem/mol_geom/mol_geometry.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermolecular_force
http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/science/cmc/cim/animations/ch8_2.swf
• Holt, Modern Chemistry ©1999, Text & Lab manuals
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