Single Electron in Terms of Shape
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Single Electron in Terms of Shape
I know that a lone pair is able to alter the final shape of the molecule based off of the electron arrangement, but when we draw the Lewis structure and there is a single electron left alone, is that enough to alter the shape as well or is that power exclusively for lone pairs?
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Re: Single Electron in Terms of Shape
Yes a single electron can alter the shape as well. This is seen in radical lewis structures/ molecules and I think Lavelle assigned problems that use examples of this- I think there may be an NH3 radical formula in either the textbook problems or I have seen it in a review section. Either way, yes a lone electron is still occupying an area and thus provides an area of electron density.
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Re: Single Electron in Terms of Shape
A single electron will affect the shape. However, because there's only one electron, the lone electron repulsion generated would be much smaller than the lone pair(two electrons). Therefore, the degree of angle distortion would be less significant.
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