Resonance Structures and VSEPR

[AnthonyEdwardsLec1]

Hi, I was wondering if there is a way to account for resonance structures using the VSEPR model, or can the VSEPR only account for shape and not resonance meaning one would have to draw out a Lewis structure and calculate formal charge as well to determine if a molecule has resonance?

[Ken Woo 1K]

Hey!

The VSEPR model is primarily designed to predict the 3D shape of the molecule with consideration of the repulsion between electron pairs around a central atom. For this model, I don't believe it can directly account for resonance structures, which have a higher emphasis on the delocalization of electrons, and thus cannot be fully represented in a single Lewis structure.

Hope this helps!