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Chapter 10: Problem 7

Predict the geometries of the following species using the VSEPR method: (a) \(\mathrm{PCl}_{3}\) (b) \(\mathrm{CHCl}_{3}\) (c) \(\mathrm{SiH}_{4},\) (d) \(\mathrm{TeCl}_{4}\).

Short Answer

Expert verified
The geometries of the species are: PCl3 has a trigonal planar shape; CHCl3, SiH4 have tetrahedral shapes; and TeCl4 has a see-saw shape.

Step by step solution

01

Determine the electron regions for PCl3

Phosphorus (P) has 5 valence electrons and there are 3 chlorine (Cl) atoms, each contributing one electron for bonding, making a total of three bond pairs. Thus, there are three electron regions around P in PCl3.
02

Assign the geometry for PCl3

With three electron regions, the shape of PCl3 molecule will be trigonal planar according to the VSEPR model.
03

Determine the electron regions for CHCl3

Carbon (C) has 4 valence electrons and is bonded to one hydrogen (H) and three chlorine (Cl) atoms, each contributing one electron for bonding. This gives a total of four bond pairs. Thus, there are four electron regions around C in CHCl3.
04

Assign the geometry for CHCl3

With four electron regions, the shape of CHCl3 molecule will be tetrahedral according to the VSEPR model.
05

Determine the electron regions for SiH4

Silicon (Si) has 4 valence electrons and is bonded to four hydrogen (H) atoms, each contributing one electron for bonding. This gives a total of four bond pairs. Thus, there are four electron regions around Si in SiH4.
06

Assign the geometry for SiH4

With four electron regions, the shape of SiH4 molecule will be tetrahedral according to the VSEPR model.
07

Determine the electron regions for TeCl4

Tellurium (Te) has 6 valence electrons. It forms 4 bonds with chlorine (Cl) atoms, each contributing one electron for bonding, thus creating four bond pairs. The two remaining electrons on Te form one lone pair. Thus, there are five electron regions around Te in TeCl4.
08

Assign the geometry for TeCl4

With five electron regions consisting of four bond pairs and one lone pair, the shape of TeCl4 molecule will be see-saw according to the VSEPR model.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Briefly compare the VSEPR and hybridization approaches to the study of molecular geometry.

Sketch the shapes of the following molecular orbitals: \(\sigma_{1 s}, \sigma_{1 s}^{\star}, \pi_{2 p},\) and \(\pi_{2 p}^{\star} .\) How do their energies compare?

Write the ground-state electron configuration for \(\mathrm{B}_{2}\). Is the molecule diamagnetic or paramagnetic?

Describe the geometry and hybridization for the reactants and product in the following reaction: $$ \mathrm{ClF}_{3}+\mathrm{AsF}_{5} \longrightarrow\left[\mathrm{ClF}_{2}^{+}\right]\left[\mathrm{AsF}_{6}^{-}\right] $$

The bond angle of \(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\) is very close to \(120^{\circ},\) even though there is a lone pair on \(\mathrm{S} .\) Explain.
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