Question

44. Each ball-and-stick model shows the electron and molecular ometry of a generic molecule. Explain what is wrong with a molecular geometry and provide the correct molecular geome try, given the number of lone pairs and bonding groups on the central atom. (a) (a) (b)

Answer 1

The correct structures for the molecules are given below

The central atom in molecule a has two lone pairs and two bond pairs. Thus, the molecular geometry is bent according to VSEPR theory.

(а) (b) (с)

The central atom in molecule b has three lone pairs and two bond pairs. Thus, according to VSEPR theory the molecular geometry is linear.

The central atom in molecule c has five bond pairs and one lone pair. Thus, according to VSEPR theory, the molecular geometry is square pyramidal.