In: Chemistry
How do you draw VSEPR diagrams?
Please fully discuss on this topic
The general concept is that the pairs of electrons repel each other and try to locate themselves as far as possible from each other about a given nucleus.
Hence, for two pairs of electrons on a nucleus, the two pairs would locate themselves exactly opposite each other, forming a bond angle of exactly 180°.
If three pairs exist, they will locate themselves in a plane about the nucleus at angles of 120° from each other.
Here is a table of the electron pair geometries as a function of the number of electron pairs.
The general concept is that the pairs of electrons repel each other and try to locate themselves as far as possible from each other about a given nucleus.