CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

In our discussion, we were trying to clarify what the wording of the problem will be when it's asking for the shape, looking at lone pairs or not. To clarify, if a problem asks to state the molecular shape, is this the shape only looking at the atoms, and the geometry of the molecule is the VSEPR name including the lone pairs? For example, molecular shape of a molecule is see-saw, and VSEPR geometrical shape of that molecule is trigonal bipyramidal.

I believe the ones with lone pairs have different names for the shapes.

When a question asks for molecular shape, you have to take into account the number of areas of electron density, lone pairs, etc., not just the number of atoms.

You have to account for lone pairs, as they count as areas of electron density.

I believe we will need to know both the electronic(lone pair present) shape and the molecular shape

Therefore, it is a good idea to be able to recognize the AXE formula

Should look at its VSPER formula and that will take both the lone pairs and bonds into consideration to determine the shape.

You have to take the lone pairs into consideration as well. As mentioned previously, you should memorize the AXE formula. The E in this formula represents the lone pairs. It can change the shape of the molecule a lot.

Since you are taking into consideration the lone pairs, the molecule would not be trigonal bipyramidal.