Resonance Structures and VSEPR

(Polar molecules, Non-polar molecules, etc.)

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AnthonyEdwardsLec1
Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2024 7:17 am

Resonance Structures and VSEPR

Postby AnthonyEdwardsLec1 » Sat Nov 09, 2024 1:02 am

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
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2024 7:20 am

Re: Resonance Structures and VSEPR

Postby Ken Woo 1K » Sat Nov 09, 2024 1:27 pm

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!


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