Determine all possible number of electron domains on a central atom in period 2

Question

Determine all possible number of electron domains on a central atom in period 2 or higher with 3, 4, and 5 valence electrons. Then, name the electron-domain geometry associated with each possible number of electron domains.

Atom with 3 valence electrons as a central atom in a molecule:

Atom with 4 valence electrons as a central atom in a molecule:

Atom with 5 valence electrons as a central atom in a molecule:

____electron domains             ---Select--- linear trigonal planar tetrahedral trigonal bipyramidal octahedral ____ electron domains     ---Select--- linear trigonal planar tetrahedral trigonal bipyramidal octahedral

Explanation / Answer

For an atom with 3 valence electrons it will have 3 electron domains therefore it will have a trigonal planar electron geometry

with 3 valence electrons you can have 2 electron domains for some ions like aluminate ion (AlO2-) according to VSEPR it will have a linear electron geometry

For an atom with 4 valence electrons as a central atom like carbon, you can have 4 electron domains an a tetrahedral electronic configuration

3 electron domains with a trigonal planar electron geometry

2 electron domains (CO2) and you will have a linear geometry

atom with 5 valence electrons can have 5 electron domains like PCl5, this will be trigonal bypiramidal

5 valence electrons can have 4 electron domains like NH3, it has 3 bonds and 1 lone pair, this has a tetrahedral electron geometry

5 valence electrons can also have 3 electron domains, this is the case for NO2- so this will have a trigonal planar electron geometry

5 valence electrons can also have 6 electron domains, this is the case for AsF6- , this ion has an octahedral electron geometry

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