VSEPR Model

Interactive visualization of Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory - Explore molecular geometries, electron pair arrangements, and bond angles

Quick Presets

Molecule Information

Molecular Shape Tetrahedral
Electron Pairs: 4
Bonding Pairs: 4
Lone Pairs: 0
Bond Angle: 109.5°
Hybridization: sp³
Example: CH₄, NH₄⁺

Repulsion Order:

Lone Pair-Lone Pair
Strongest
Lone Pair-Bond Pair
Strong
Bond Pair-Bond Pair
Weakest

Lone pairs occupy more space and repel more strongly, compressing bond angles

Parameters

VSEPR Theory

Electron Pair Formula: VP = BP + LP
Steric Number (SN): SN = BP + LP
Repulsion Order: LP-LP > LP-BP > BP-BP

Legend

Central Atom
Ligand Atom
Bonding Pair (blue)
Lone Pair (red)

VSEPR Geometry Reference Table

Electron Pairs: Bonding Pairs: Lone Pairs: Electron Geometry Molecular Shape Bond Angle: Example
2 2 0 Linear Linear 180° CO₂, BeCl₂
1 1 Linear Linear 180° [NO₂]⁺
3 3 0 Trigonal Planar Trigonal Planar 120° BF₃, CO₃²⁻
2 1 Trigonal Planar Bent < 120° SO₂, O₃
1 2 Trigonal Planar Linear 180° O₂, [I₃]⁻
4 4 0 Tetrahedral Tetrahedral 109.5° CH₄, NH₄⁺
3 1 Tetrahedral Trigonal Pyramidal < 109.5° NH₃, PCl₃
2 2 Tetrahedral Bent < 109.5° H₂O, H₂S
1 3 Tetrahedral Linear 180° [ClO₂]⁺
5 5 0 Trigonal Bipyramidal Trigonal Bipyramidal 90°, 120° PCl₅, PF₅
4 1 Trigonal Bipyramidal Seesaw < 90°, < 120° SF₄, TeCl₄
3 2 Trigonal Bipyramidal T-Shaped < 90° ClF₃, BrF₃
2 3 Trigonal Bipyramidal Linear 180° XeF₂, I₃⁻
6 6 0 Octahedral Octahedral 90° SF₆, [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻
5 1 Octahedral Square Pyramidal < 90° BrF₅, IF₅
4 2 Octahedral Square Planar 90° XeF₄, ICl₄⁻

What is VSEPR Theory?

VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory is a model used in chemistry to predict the geometry of individual molecules based on the number of electron pairs surrounding their central atoms.

Types of Electron Pairs

In VSEPR theory, there are two types of electron pairs around a central atom: bonding pairs (shared between atoms in covalent bonds) and lone pairs (non-bonding electrons localized on the central atom).

Electron Pair Repulsion

The strength of repulsion follows the order: lone pair-lone pair > lone pair-bond pair > bond pair-bond pair. This means that lone pairs push bonding pairs closer together than bonding pairs push each other.

Steric Number and Hybridization

The steric number (SN) is the sum of bonding pairs and lone pairs around the central atom: SN = BP + LP. This number determines both the electron pair geometry and the hybridization of the central atom.

Predicting Molecular Geometry

To predict molecular geometry using VSEPR: (1) Draw the Lewis structure; (2) Count bonding pairs and lone pairs; (3) Determine the steric number; (4) Identify the electron pair geometry; (5) Consider lone pair positions; (6) Predict the molecular shape.

Applications and Limitations

VSEPR theory is widely used to predict molecular geometries for main group compounds. However, it has limitations: it doesn't work well for transition metal complexes and cannot predict bond lengths accurately.