TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

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Abstract Volume 15 (2010) pp 26-27

A Straightforward way to find the Geometry-Determining Number of Electron Domains in VSEPR Theory without Recourse to Lewis Structures

Mário Valente* and Helena Moreira

Colégio D. Duarte, Rua Visconde de Setúbal, 86, Porto, 4200-497, Portugal, madmage1@yahoo.com
Received September 1, 2009. Accepted December 20, 2009

Published: 9 January 2010

Abstract. We present a simple and straightforward method to find the geometry determining number of electron domains surrounding a central atom in small molecules without the need to write the corresponding Lewis structures beforehand. This method allows for the easy determination of the geometry of any AX_nL_m molecule (where A represents the central atom, X represents any peripheral atom and L represents a single electron or a lone pair).

Key Words: In the Classroom; general chemistry

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: madmage1@yahoo.com)

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