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What is VSEPR Theory?
The Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory abbreviated as VSEPR theory is
based on the premise that there is a repulsion between the pairs of valence
electrons in all atoms, and the atoms will always tend to arrange themselves in a
manner in which this electron pair repulsion is minimalized. This arrangement of the
atom determines the geometry of the resulting molecule.
Postulates of VSEPR Theory:

The postulates of the VSEPR theory are listed below
 In polyatomic molecules (i.e. molecules made up of three or more atoms),

one of the constituent atoms is identified as the central atom to which all
other atoms belonging to the molecule are linked.
 The total number of valence shell electron pairs decides the shape of the
molecule.
 The electron pairs have a tendency to orient themselves in a way that
minimizes the electron-electron repulsion between them and maximizes the
distance between them.
 The valence shell can be thought of as a sphere wherein the electron pairs
are localized on the surface in such a way that the distance between them is
maximized.
 Should the central atom of the molecule be surrounded by bond pairs of
electrons, then, the asymmetrically shaped molecule can be expected.
 Should the central atom be surrounded by both lone pairs and bond pairs of
electrons, the molecule would tend to have a distorted shape.
 The VSEPR theory can be applied to each resonance structure of a molecule.
 The strength of the repulsion is strongest in two lone pairs and weakest in two
bond pairs.
 If electron pairs around the central atom are closer to each other, they will
repel each other. This results in an increase in the energy of the molecules.
 If the electron pairs lie far from each other, the repulsions between them will
be less and eventually, the energy of the molecule will be low.
Limitations of VSEPR Theory:

Some significant limitations of the VSEPR theory include:
 This theory fails to explain isoelectronic species (i.e. elements having the
same number of electrons). The species may vary in shapes despite having
the same number of electrons.
 The VSEPR theory does not shed any light on the compounds of transition
metals. The structure of several such compounds cannot be correctly
described by this theory. This is because the VSEPR theory does not take
into account the associated sizes of the substituent groups and the lone pairs
that are inactive.
 Another limitation of VSEPR theory is that it predicts that halides of group 2
elements will have a linear structure, whereas their actual structure is a bent
one.
Predicting the Shapes of Molecules:

The following steps must be followed in order to decide the shape of a molecule.
 The least electronegative atom must be selected as the central atom (since
this atom has the highest ability to share its electrons with the other atoms
belonging to the molecule).
 The total number of electrons belonging to the outermost shell of the central
atom must be counted.
 The total number of electrons belonging to other atoms and used in bonds
with the central atom must be counted.
 These two values must be added in order to obtain the valence shell electron
pair number or the VSEP number.
What is VSEP Number?

The VSEP number describes the shape of the molecule, as described in the table
provided below.
VSEP Number Shape of the

Molecule
2 Linear
3 Trigonal Planar
4 Tetrahedral
5 Trigonal Bipyramidal
6 Octahedral
7 Pentagonal
Bipyramidal
What is the premise of the VSEPR Theory?

The repulsion that exists between electron pairs in the valence shell causes the
atoms to arrange themselves in a manner that minimizes this repulsion. This directly
affects the geometry of the molecule formed by the atom.
What would be the shape of the molecule if the VSEP

number is 5?
The molecule would have a trigonal bipyramidal structure.
What are the advantages of the VSEPR theory?

This theory can be used to predict the shapes of the molecules of many compounds
accurately. Once the geometry of the molecule is understood, it becomes easier to
understand its reactions.
Each of these corresponding shapes can also be found in the illustration provided
earlier. However, the VSEPR theory cannot be used to obtain the exact bond
angles between the atoms in a molecule.
Now, we will discuss each shape in detail:
Linear Shape of Molecule:

 In this type of molecule, we find two places in the valence shell of the central
atom.
 They should be arranged in such a manner such that repulsion can be
minimized (pointing in the opposite direction).
 Example: BeF2
Trigonal Planar Shape of Molecule:

 In this type of molecule, we find three molecules attached to a central atom.
 They are arranged in such a manner such that repulsion between the
electrons can be minimized (toward the corners of an equilateral triangle).
 Example: BF3
Tetrahedral Shape of Molecule:
 In two-dimensional molecules, atoms lie in the same plane and if we place
these conditions on methane, we will get a square planar geometry in which
the bond angle between H-C-H is 900.
 Now, if we consider all these conditions for a three-dimensional molecule, we
will get a tetrahedral molecule in which the bond angle between H-C-H is
109028’ (toward the corners of an equilateral triangle) CH4
Trigonal Bipyramid Shape of Molecule:

 Let’s take an example of PF5. Here, repulsion can be minimized by even
distribution of electrons towards the corner of a trigonal pyramid. In trigonal
bipyramid, three positions lie along the equator of the molecule. The two
positions lie along an axis perpendicular to the equatorial plane.
How can the VSEPR Theory be used to Predict the

Shapes of Molecules?
The strength of the repulsion between a lone pair and a bond pair of electrons lies in
between the repulsion between two lone pairs and between two bond pairs. The
order of repulsion between electron pairs is as follows:
Lone Pair- lone pair > Lone Pair- bond- pair > Bond Pair- bond pair.
1. Total number of electron pairs around the central atom = ½ (number of valence
electrons of central atom + number of atoms linked to central atom by single bonds)
 For negative ions, add the number of electrons equal to the units of negative
charge on the ions to the valence electrons of the central atom.
 For positive ions, subtract the number of electrons equal to the units
of positive charge on the ion from the valence electrons of the central atom.
2. The number of Bond pair = Total number of atoms linked to central atom by single
bonds.
3. Number of lone pairs = Total number of electron – No of shared pair
The electron pairs around the central atom repel each another and move so far apart
from each another that there are no greater repulsions between them. This results in
the molecule having minimum energy and maximum stability.
 The shape of a molecule with only two atoms is always linear.

 For molecules with three or more atoms, one of the atoms is called the central
atom and other atoms are attached to the central atom.
 If the central atom is linked to similar atoms and is surrounded by bond pairs
of electrons only, the repulsions between them are similar as a result the
shape of the molecule is symmetrical and the molecule is said to have regular
geometry.
 If the central atom is linked to different atoms or is surrounded by bond pair
as well as a lone pair of electrons, the repulsion between them is similar. As a
result, the shape of the molecule has an irregular or distorted geometry.
 The exact shape of the molecule depends upon the total number of electron
pairs present around the central atom.

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What is VSEPR Theory?

Postulates of VSEPR Theory:

 In polyatomic molecules (i.e. molecules made up of three or more atoms),

Limitations of VSEPR Theory:

Predicting the Shapes of Molecules:

What is VSEP Number?

VSEP Number Shape of the

What is the premise of the VSEPR Theory?

What would be the shape of the molecule if the VSEP

What are the advantages of the VSEPR theory?

Linear Shape of Molecule:

Trigonal Planar Shape of Molecule:

Trigonal Bipyramid Shape of Molecule:

How can the VSEPR Theory be used to Predict the

 The shape of a molecule with only two atoms is always linear.

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