Purchase Solution

Bonding Structures and VSEPR Theory

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Help with various molecular geom/chem bonding problems. Any explanations would be greatly appreciated.

(See attached file for full problem description with chart)

1. Fill in the table below for each of the following compounds. The column headings refer to the central atom, which is shown in bold type. (VSEPR Model)

Compound Number of Electrons Pairs Arrangement of Pairs Molecular Geometry
Bonding Lone
AsCl3
SeCl4
BrF3
ICl4-
NH4+

2. Determine the molecular geometry for each of the following compounds and use it to explain why each compound has the dipole moment shown. The central atom is shown in bold type.
(Dipole Moments)

a. NF3, nonzero dipole moment

b. BF3, zero dipole moment

c. CF4, zero dipole moment

d. SF4, nonzero dipole moment

e. XeF4, zero dipole moment

3. Identify the hybrid orbitals used by the central atom for each of the following compounds. The central atom is shown in bold type. (Valence Bond Theory)

Compound Hybrid Orbitals Compound Hybrid Orbitals
CCl4 PF5
SF4 PCl3
BrF5 HCN
XeF2 F2CCF2
H3O+ Cl2CO

4. Fill in the table below for the following compound. Consider each carbon atom (numbered in red) a central atom. (Multiple Bonding)

Carbon Number Number of Sigma Bonds Around Carbon Number of Pi Bonds Around Carbon Type of Hybrid Orbitals Used by Carbon Bond Angles Around Carbon
1
2
3
4
5

5. (Cis-Trans Isomers) Answer the following questions about cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethene.

a. What is the main structural difference between cis-1,2-dichloroethene and trans-1,2-dichloroethene?

b. Do cis-1,2-dichloroethene and trans-1,2-dichloroethene have the same physical properties? Give an example.

c. Suppose you have a sample of 1,2-dichloroethene. Describe how you could use dipole moments to determine if the sample is the cis isomer or the trans isomer.

d. The cis and trans isomers have geometries that are locked in a rigid structure that prevents easy rotation around the carbon-carbon double bond. What feature of the double bond locks the molecule in either the cis or the trans arrangement?

e. The cis isomer can be converted into the trans isomer, and vice versa, if rotation around the carbon-carbon double bond takes place. Which part of the carbon-carbon double bond in either cis- or trans-1,2-dichloroethene would have to be broken to allow easy rotation around the bond? What could cause this bond to be broken and allow the cis and trans isomers to be interconverted?

Attachments
Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

This in-depth solution contains instructions on Lewis structures and electron configuration to determine the number of electron pairs, arrangement of pairs and molecular geometry of each compound in the list. It also lists the dipole moment in each compound.

Solution Preview

Topics in this Problem Set:

Lewis Structure
Electronic Geometry
Molecular ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
General Chemistry - Classification of Matter

This test will assess your knowledge on the classification of matter which includes elements, compounds and mixtures.

Match Elements with their Symbols

Elements are provided: choose the matching one- or two-letter symbol for each element.

Thermochemistry

The quiz helps in revising basic concepts about thermochemistry.

Functional groups in Organic Chemistry

You will be tested on the names of functional groups in Organic Chemistry. It is very important to know the functional groups to understand Organic reactions.