- #1
sinjan.j
- 25
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Confusion with molecular geometry [carbon tetrachloride]
I'm trying to understand the molecular geometry of four different compounds:
[itex]CCl_{4} ,CHCl_{3} ,CH_{2}Cl_{2} ,CH_{3}Cl[/itex]
Please tell me whether my thinking is right or not[conceptually]. If it's wrong kindly correct me.
for [itex]CCl_{4}[/itex]
Carbon forms 4 different single bonds with chlorine. While deciding the shape of the molecule, we have to take into consideration the lone pairs and bond pairs of carbon. Since, lone pairs of carbon don't exist, we have to make sure that the angle between the bond pairs of electron of carbon is maximum and that is possible through tetrahedral arrangement. So, the shape is tetrahedral.
for [itex]CHCl_{3} , CH_{2}Cl_{2} , CH_{3}Cl[/itex]
Same as the above arguement, therefore tetrahedral.
Am I right?
I have another doubt. While deciding the geomerty of the molecules, why do we have to consider the electrons of the valence shell of the central atom only, and why not the electrons of the valence shell of the peripheral atoms?
I'm trying to understand the molecular geometry of four different compounds:
[itex]CCl_{4} ,CHCl_{3} ,CH_{2}Cl_{2} ,CH_{3}Cl[/itex]
Please tell me whether my thinking is right or not[conceptually]. If it's wrong kindly correct me.
for [itex]CCl_{4}[/itex]
Carbon forms 4 different single bonds with chlorine. While deciding the shape of the molecule, we have to take into consideration the lone pairs and bond pairs of carbon. Since, lone pairs of carbon don't exist, we have to make sure that the angle between the bond pairs of electron of carbon is maximum and that is possible through tetrahedral arrangement. So, the shape is tetrahedral.
for [itex]CHCl_{3} , CH_{2}Cl_{2} , CH_{3}Cl[/itex]
Same as the above arguement, therefore tetrahedral.
Am I right?
I have another doubt. While deciding the geomerty of the molecules, why do we have to consider the electrons of the valence shell of the central atom only, and why not the electrons of the valence shell of the peripheral atoms?