Question
Discuss the shape of the following molecules using VSEPR model:
BeCl2, BCl3, SiCl4, AsF5, H2S, PH3
Solution
BeCl2:
Lewis dot structure Cl: Be : Cl. The central atom (Be) has only two bond pairs and no lone pair. Hence shape is linear.
BCl3:
The central atom (B) has only three bond pairs and no lone pair. Hence shape is triangular planar.
SiCl4:
The central atom (Si) has four bond pairs and no lone pair. Hence the shape is tetrahedral.
AsF5:
The central atoms (As) has five bond pairs and no lon∈ pair. Hence, the shape is trigonal bipyramidal.
H2S:
The central atom (S) has two bond pairs and two lone pairs. Hence, the shape is Bent or V-shaped.
PH3:
The central atom (P) has three bond pairs and two lone pairs. Hence, the shape is. Bent or V-shaped.
