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Chapter 10: Problem 11

Describe the geometry around each of the three central atoms in the \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COOH}\) molecule.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The geometry around the first C atom in the \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COOH}\) molecule is tetrahedral, around the second C atom is trigonal planar, and around the O atom is bent or V-shaped.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the central atoms

The \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COOH}\) molecule has three central atoms: the C in \(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\), the C in \(\mathrm{COOH}\), and the O in \(\mathrm{COOH}\). It is necessary to examine each central atom separately.
02

Determining geometry around the first C atom

The first C atom (in \(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\)) is bonded to three H atoms and to the second C atom (in \(\mathrm{COOH}\)). It has no lone pairs of electrons, meaning it has a total of 4 electron groups. This is consistent with the tetrahedral geometry, which has bond angles of approximately \(109.5^\circ\).
03

Determining geometry around the second C atom

The second C atom (in \(\mathrm{COOH}\)) is bonded to the first C atom, to an O atom via a double bond and to another O atom via a single bond. It has no lone pairs of electrons and a total of 3 electron groups. This corresponds to a trigonal planar geometry, having bond angles of approximately \(120^\circ\).
04

Determining geometry around the O atom

The O atom (in \(\mathrm{COOH}\)) bonded to the hydrogen atom and to the second C atom, and it also has two lone pairs of electrons, making a total of 4 electron groups around it. This suggests a bent (or V-shaped) geometry, considering that the lone pairs will distort standard bond angles to be less than \(109.5^\circ\).

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Arrange these species in order of increasing stability: \(\mathrm{Li}_{2}, \mathrm{Li}_{2}^{+}, \mathrm{Li}_{2}^{-}\). Justify your choice with a molecular orbital energy level diagram.

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