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Chapter 7: Problem 76

In each of the following molecules, a central atom is surrounded by a total of three atoms or unshared electron pairs: \(\mathrm{SnCl}_{2}, \mathrm{BCl}_{3}, \mathrm{SO}_{2}\). In which of these molecules would you expect the bond angle to be less than \(120^{\circ}\) ? Explain your reasoning.

Short Answer

Expert verified
SnCl2, BCl3, and SO2. Answer: SnCl2 and SO2 have bond angles less than \(120^{\circ}\).

Step by step solution

01

Determine the number of bonding electron pairs and lone electron pairs in SnCl2

Sn has four valence electrons, while each of the two Cl atoms contributes one electron for bonding. Therefore, Sn has two bonding electron pairs and one lone electron pair in its valence shell.
02

Electronic geometry of SnCl2

Based on VSEPR theory, when a central atom is surrounded by 2 bonding electron pairs and 1 lone electron pair (total of 3 electron groups), it leads to a bent electronic geometry. In bent geometry, the bond angle is less than \(120^{\circ}\) due to the greater repulsion of the lone pair compared to the bonding electron pairs.
03

Determine the number of bonding electron pairs and lone electron pairs in BCl3

B has three valence electrons and forms three bonds with the Cl atoms, contributing one electron each. Therefore, B has three bonding electron pairs and no lone electron pairs.
04

Electronic geometry of BCl3

Based on VSEPR theory, when a central atom is surrounded by 3 bonding electron pairs and no lone electron pairs, it results in a trigonal planar electronic geometry. In trigonal planar geometry, the bond angles are equal to \(120^{\circ}\).
05

Determine the number of bonding electron pairs and lone electron pairs in SO2

S has 6 valence electrons, while each O atom contributes one electron for bonding. Therefore, S has two bonding electron pairs and two lone electron pairs.
06

Electronic geometry of SO2

Based on VSEPR theory, when a central atom is surrounded by 2 bonding electron pairs and 2 lone electron pairs (total of 4 electron groups), it results in a bent electronic geometry. In bent geometry, the bond angle is less than \(120^{\circ}\) due to the greater repulsion of the lone pairs compared to the bonding electron pairs.
07

Identify molecules with bond angle less than \(120^{\circ}\)

From our analysis, we conclude that the bond angle is less than \(120^{\circ}\) in \(\mathrm{SnCl}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\), while the bond angle is equal to \(120^{\circ}\) in \(\mathrm{BCl}_{3}\).

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Consider the dichromate ion. It has no metal-metal nor oxygenoxygen bonds. Write a Lewis structure for the dichromate ion. Consider chromium to have six valence electrons.

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