VSEPR Theory

VSEPR Theory

Lewis concept is unable to explain the shapes of molecules. This theory provides a simple procedure to predict the shapes of covalent molecules. Sidgwick and Powell in 1940 proposed a simple theory based on the repulsive interactions of the electron pairs in the valence shell of the atoms. It was further developed and redefined by Nyholm and Gillespie (1957).

The main postulates of VSEPR theory are as follows:

• The shape of a molecule depends upon the number of valence shell electron pairs (bonded or nonbonded) around the central atom.
• Pair of electrons in the valence shell repel one another since their electron clouds are negatively charged.
• These pairs of electrons tend to occupy such positions in space that minimize repulsion and thus maximize distance between them.
• The valence shell is taken as a sphere with the electron pairs localizing on the spherical surface at maximum distance from one another
• A multiple bond is treated as if it is a single electron pair and the two or three electron pairs of a multiple bond are treated as a single super pair.
• Where two or more resonance structures can represent a molecule, the VSEPR model is applicable to any such structure.

The repulsive interaction of electron pairs decrease in the order:

Lone pair (lp) – Lone pair (lp)  >  Lone pair (lp) – Bond pair (bp)  >  Bond pair (bp)  -  Bond pair (bp)

Nyholm and Gillespie (1957) refined the VSEPR model by explaining the important difference between the lone pairs and bonding pairs of electrons. While the lone pairs are localized on the central atom, each bonded pair is shared between two atoms. As a result, the lone pair electrons in a molecule occupy more space as compared to the bonding pairs of electrons. This results in greater repulsion between lone pairs of electrons as compared to the lone pair – bond pair and bond pair – bond pair repulsions. These repulsion effects result in deviations from idealized shapes and alterations in bond angles in molecules.

For the prediction of geometrical shapes of molecules with the help of VSEPR theory. It is convenient to divide molecules into two categories as (i) molecules in which the central atom has no lone pair and (ii) molecules in which the central atom has one or more lone pairs.

The VSEPR theory is able to predict geometry of a large number of molecules, especially the compounds of p-block elements accurately. It is also quite successful in determining the geometry quite-accurately even when the energy difference between possible structures is very small. The theoretical basis of the VESPR theory regarding the effects of electro pair repulsions on molecular shapes in not clear and continues to be a subject of doubt and discussion.