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Ch.22 - The Main Group Elements
All textbooksMcMurry 8th EditionCh.22 - The Main Group ElementsProblem 9
Chapter 22, Problem 9

Describe the shape of each of the following molecules or ions, and tell which hybrid orbitals are used by the central atom. (a) GeBr4 (b) CO2 (c) CO32- (d) SnCl3-

Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Determine the central atom and count the total number of valence electrons for each molecule or ion. For example, in GeBr4, the central atom is Ge, and you need to consider the valence electrons from Ge and Br atoms.
Step 2: Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to predict the molecular geometry. For GeBr4, with four bonding pairs and no lone pairs on the central atom, the shape is tetrahedral.
Step 3: Identify the hybridization of the central atom based on the number of electron domains (bonding and lone pairs). For GeBr4, with four electron domains, the hybridization is sp3.
Step 4: Repeat the process for CO2. The central atom is C, with two double bonds to O atoms. According to VSEPR, the shape is linear, and the hybridization is sp.
Step 5: For CO32-, consider the resonance structures and the central atom C. With three bonding pairs and no lone pairs, the shape is trigonal planar, and the hybridization is sp2. For SnCl3-, the central atom Sn has three bonding pairs and one lone pair, resulting in a trigonal pyramidal shape with sp3 hybridization.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

VSEPR Theory

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory is a model used to predict the geometry of individual molecules based on the repulsion between electron pairs in the valence shell of the central atom. According to VSEPR, electron pairs will arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, leading to specific molecular shapes such as tetrahedral, linear, or trigonal planar.
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Hybridization

Hybridization is the concept of mixing atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals that can accommodate bonding in molecules. The type of hybridization (e.g., sp, sp2, sp3) depends on the number of electron groups around the central atom, influencing both the shape and bond angles of the molecule.
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Molecular Geometry

Molecular geometry refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule. It is determined by the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons around the central atom, which affects the overall shape and properties of the molecule, such as polarity and reactivity.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Consider the following oxoacids: HClO, HClO2, HClO3, and HClO4. In which oxoacid does chlorine have an oxidation state of +5? Which oxoacid is the strongest?

(LO 22.17)

(a) HClO has a Cl oxidation state of +5, and HClO4 is the strongest acid.

(b) HClO2 has a Cl oxidation state of +5, and HClO is the strongest acid.

(c) HClO3 has a Cl oxidation state of +5, and HClO4 is the strongest acid.

(d) HClO4 has a Cl oxidation state of +5, and HClO is the strongest acid.