Part of the reasoning that led van\'t Hoff and lessthanorequalto Bel to propose

Question

Part of the reasoning that led van't Hoff and lessthanorequalto Bel to propose a tetrahedral shape for Methane. CH_4, was based on the number of compounds that are theoretically possible for substituted Methanes; that is, compounds in which one or more hydrogens have been replaced by some other group. For example, only one compound of the type CH_2X_2 has ever been found. Is this consistent with a tetrahedral shape? With a square planar shape? Provide an explanation for each answer using appropriate diagrams.

Explanation / Answer

CH4 is tetrahedral shape. H- atoms are lower in size so they are stable in this arrangements.

When we substitute this H's by other atoms like X's [CH2X2] then the shape also change. A X is higher in size and high electronegeative so the repulsion between two X-atoms increases which destabilises the tetrahedral shape and prefer the square planar geometry.

SO, [CH2X2] will prefer square planar geometry.

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