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The shapes of things. Molecular shape determines properties Bonding determines shape. Learning objectives. Write Lewis dot structures for simple molecules Predict shape of simple molecules Predict polarity of simple molecules. Covalent molecular compounds.
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The shapes of things Molecular shape determines properties Bonding determines shape
Learning objectives • Write Lewis dot structures for simple molecules • Predict shape of simple molecules • Predict polarity of simple molecules
Covalent molecular compounds • Covalent compounds are usually molecular • Bonds between atoms are covalent • Interactions between molecules are very weak • Atoms in a covalent molecule don’t stack like marbles • Bonds have specific directions
Molecules have specific shapes • Shape will depend on • The number of atoms bonded to the central atom • The number of lone pairs around the central atom • Distinguish between • Electronic geometry (molecular geometry) • Consider atoms and lone pairs • Molecular shape • Consider atoms only
Lewis dot structures: doing the dots • Molecular structure in simplest terms: arrange valence electrons as dots in a 2-dimensional figure • Only valence electrons are shown • Electrons are either in: • bonds • lone pairs (stable molecules do not contain unpaired electrons – with very few exceptions) • Octet rule is guiding principle: each atom has 8 dots round it (H has 2 dots)
Lewis dot structures made easy: the S = N –A machine • Start with the skeleton of the molecule • Least electronegative element is the central atom • S = N - A • N = total number of electrons required to fill octet for each atom in the molecule (8 for each element, except 2 for H and 6 for B) • A = total number of valence electrons • S = total number of electrons in bonds • We are given N and A; we need to find S
Calculate N for the molecule Calculate A (all the dots) include charges for ions (add one for each –ve charge and subtract one for each +ve charge) Determine S (no of dots in bonds) (S = N – A) Satisfy all octets and create number of bonds dictated by S (may be multiple bonds) NF3 N = 8(N) + 3 x 8(F) = 32 A = 5(N) + 3 x 7(F) = 26 S = 32 – 26 = 6 F N F F N F F F Applying the rules
Two tests for dot structures • Is the number of dots in the molecule equal to the number of valence electrons? • Are all the octets satisfied? • If both yes structure is valid • If either no then back to the drawing board
Electronic geometry • Identify central atom. Many molecules have more than one. • Central atom has more than one atom bonded to it
Methanol has two central atoms • O is one central atom – bonded to H and C • C is another central atom – bonded to O, H, H and H • Consider geometry around each one separately
Counting regions of charge • Count only atoms and lone pairs immediately bonded to central atom • Count the regions of electrons • Bonds – single, double or triple count as 1 • Lone pairs count as 1 • Number will be between 2 and 4 for molecules that obey octet rule
Counting groups • OF2 two bonds, two lone pairs • Total groups = 4 • CF4 four bonds, no lone pairs • Total groups = 4
Double or triple bonds count as one • CO2 has two groups • HCN has two groups
Total number of groups dictates electronic geometry • Octet rule: • Two – linear • Three – trigonal planar • Four – tetrahedral • Additional possibilities (expand octet): • Five – trigonal bipyramidal • Six - octahedral
Polar bonds and polar molecules • Not all molecules containing polar bonds will themselves be polar. • Need to examine the molecular shape • Ask the question: • Do the individual bond polarities cancel out? • If so, non polar. If not, polar.
Consider some examples • In CO2 (linear molecule) the two polar bonds oppose each other exactly • In chemical tug-o-war there is stalemate
The most important polar molecule • In BF3 the three bonds cancel out – tug of war stalemate • In H2O (bent) the polar bonds do not directly oppose – no stalemate • Lone pair also adds some component • Overall net polarity • Consequence of polarity: H2O is a liquid, CO2 is a gas
Symmetry and polarity • If the molecule “looks” symmetrical it will be nonpolar • If the molecule “looks” non-symmetrical it will be polar
Rules of thumb for evaluation of polarity • Presence of one lone pair of electrons • Only one polar bond • Always polar molecules • Two or more polar bonds • Do polar bonds perfectly oppose? • If no, polar molecule