HW 2E3 PART B (7TH EDITION)

[abbydouglas1K]

Do the lone pairs around atoms that are not the central atom affect the molecular shape ? For example the hw asks for the shape of CH2F2 and the two fluorine molecules bonded to the carbon have three lone pairs while the hydrogen have none. Do these affect the shape or is it only lone pairs that surround the central atom that produce electron repulsion?

[Mindy Kim 4C]

I believe only lone pairs around the central atom affect molecular shape. The molecular shape is given for each central atom in the molecule and lone pairs on atoms that are not the central atom do not affect the bond angles considered in molecular shape.

[Theodore_Herring_1A]

No, the lone pairs around the non-central atoms do not affect shape. So in the case of CH2F2, the shape will be tetrahedral; the bond angles will not be affected by Fluorine's lone pairs.

[Miriam Sheetz 2B]

Only lone pairs around the central atom affect the shape of the molecule because they repel the electrons from the other atoms.

[abbydouglas1K]

Thank you so much I appreciate it :)