2nd Ed. Nivaldo Tro
Chemical Bonding II
Maseno University
School of Medicine
Presentation Date: February 4, 2020
Tro: Chemistry: A Molecular Approach, 2/e Copyright ♥ 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.
, Valence Shell Electron Pair
Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory
Tro: Chemistry: A Molecular Approach, 2/e Copyright ♥ 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.
, Introduction to VSEPR
• VSEPR theory is a model that predict the
geometry of individual molecules from the
number of electron pairs surrounding their
central atoms.
• Geometric arrangement of terminal atoms, or
groups of atoms about a central atom in a
covalent compound, or charged ion, is
determined solely by the repulsions between
electron pairs present in the valence shell
of the central atom.
3!
, VSEPR Theory
• Electron groups around the central atom will
be most stable when they are as far apart as
possible — we call this valence shell
electron pair repulsion theory
• because electrons are negatively
charged, they should be most stable
when they are separated as much as
possible
• The resulting geometric arrangement will
allow us to predict the shapes and bond
angles in the molecule
Tro: Chemistry: A Molecular Approach, 2/e Copyright ♥ 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.