VSEPR practice problems

ANSWER KEY

Draw the 2-D LEWIS structure below the molecular formula.

Determine both electron-domain (ED) and molecular geometry.

Determine whether bond angles are ideal (90 o, 109.5o, 120o, 180o) or
distorted due to lone pair bonding pair repulsion.

From the overall molecular geometry and the presence and arrangement
of polar bonds (if any), determine if a molecule is polar. (Polarity does not
apply to polyatomic ions.)

1) PF3 ED geometry: tetrahedral

Molecular geometry: trigonal pyramidal

Bond angles: < 109.5

Angles distorted? yes

Is the molecule polar? yes

2) PF5 ED geometry: trigonal bipyramidal

Molecular geometry: trigonal bipyramidal

Bond angles: 90, 120

Angles distorted? no

Is the molecule polar? no

3) SF4 ED geometry: trigonal bipyramidal

Molecular geometry: see-saw

Bond angles: < 90, < 120

Angles distorted? yes

Is the molecule polar? yes

Molecular geometry: octahedral

Bond angles: 90

Angles distorted? no

Is the molecule polar? no

5) CH3+ ED geometry: trigonal planar

Molecular geometry: trigonal planar

Bond angles: 120

Angles distorted? no

Is the molecule polar? n/a

6) ClO- ED geometry: linear

Molecular geometry: linear

Bond angles: n/a

Angles distorted? n/a

Is the molecule polar? n/a

7) ClO2- ED geometry: tetrahedral

Molecular geometry: bent

Bond angles: < 109.5

Angles distorted? yes

Is the molecule polar? n/a

8) ClO3- ED geometry: tetrahedral

Molecular geometry: trigonal pyramidal

Bond angles: < 109.5

Angles distorted? yes

Is the molecule polar? n/a

Molecular geometry: tetrahedral

Bond angles: 109.5

Angles distorted? no

Is the molecule polar? n/a

10) KrF2 ED geometry: trigonal bipyramidal

Molecular geometry: linear

Bond angles: 180

Angles distorted? no

Is the molecule polar? no

11) XeF4 ED geometry: octahedral

Molecular geometry: square planar

Bond angles: 90

Angles distorted? no

Is the molecule polar? no

12) XeF6 ED geometry: pentagonal bipyramidal

Molecular geometry: fluctuating, distorted octahedral

You can skip this one. Bond angles: 90

Angles distorted? yes

Is the molecule polar? no

13) XeO3 ED geometry: tetrahedral

Molecular geometry: trigonal pyramidal

Bond angles: < 109.5

Angles distorted? yes

Is the molecule polar? yes

Molecular geometry: seesaw

Bond angles: < 90, < 120

Angles distorted? yes

Is the molecule polar? yes

15) CS2 ED geometry: linear

Molecular geometry: linear

Bond angles: 180

Angles distorted? no

Is the molecule polar? no

16) NO3- ED geometry: trigonal planar

Molecular geometry: trigonal planar

Bond angles: 120

Angles distorted? no

Is the molecule polar? n/a

17) CO32- ED geometry: trigonal planar

Molecular geometry: trigonal planar

Bond angles: 120

Angles distorted? no

Is the molecule polar? n/a

18) BH3 ED geometry: trigonal planar

Molecular geometry: trigonal planar

Bond angles: 120

Angles distorted? no

Is the molecule polar? no

Molecular geometry: T-shaped

Bond angles: < 90, < 180

Angles distorted? yes

Is the molecule polar? n/a

20) BrF3 ED geometry: trigonal bipyramidal

Molecular geometry: T-shaped

Bond angles: < 90, < 180

Angles distorted? yes

Is the molecule polar? yes

21) IF5 ED geometry: octahedral

Molecular geometry: square planar

Bond angles: < 90

Angles distorted? yes

Is the molecule polar? yes

22) HCN ED geometry: linear

Molecular geometry: linear

Bond angles: 180

Angles distorted? no

Is the molecule polar? yes

23) NH3Cl+ ED geometry: tetrahedral

Molecular geometry: tetrahedral

Bond angles: 109.5

Angles distorted? yes

Is the molecule polar? n/a

Molecular geometry: linear

Bond angles: 180

Angles distorted? no

Is the molecule polar? n/a

25) N3- ED geometry: linear

Molecular geometry: linear

Bond angles: 180

Angles distorted? no

Is the molecule polar? n/a

26) BHCl2 ED geometry: trigonal planar

Molecular geometry: trigonal planar

Bond angles: 120

Angles distorted? yes

Is the molecule polar? yes