With two bonds and no lone pairs of electrons on the central atom, the bonds are as far apart as possible, and the electrostatic repulsion between these regions of high electron density is reduced to a minimum when they are on opposite sides of the central atom. The Lewis structure of BeF 2 ( ) shows only two electron pairs around the central beryllium atom. Other interactions, such as nuclear-nuclear repulsions and nuclear-electron attractions, are also involved in the final arrangement that atoms adopt in a particular molecular structure.Īs a simple example of VSEPR theory, let us predict the structure of a gaseous BeF 2 molecule. We should understand, however, that the theory only considers electron-pair repulsions. 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. Spectroscopic and Magnetic Properties of Coordination CompoundsĪldehydes, Ketones, Carboxylic Acids, and Esters Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Transition Metals and Their CompoundsĬoordination Chemistry of Transition Metals Transition Metals and Coordination Chemistry Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of the Noble Gases Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Halogens Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Sulfur

Occurrence, Preparation, and Compounds of Oxygen Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Phosphorus Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Nitrogen Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Carbonates Occurrence, Preparation, and Compounds of Hydrogen

Structure and General Properties of the Nonmetals Structure and General Properties of the Metalloids

Occurrence and Preparation of the Representative Metals Representative Metals, Metalloids, and Nonmetals The Second and Third Laws of Thermodynamics Shifting Equilibria: Le Châtelier’s Principle Stoichiometry of Gaseous Substances, Mixtures, and Reactions Relating Pressure, Volume, Amount, and Temperature: The Ideal Gas Law Periodic Variations in Element Properties Mathematical Treatment of Measurement Resultsĭetermining Empirical and Molecular FormulasĮlectronic Structure and Periodic Properties of ElementsĮlectronic Structure of Atoms (Electron Configurations) Measurement Uncertainty, Accuracy, and Precision

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