Molecular Geometry

Molecular Geometry

NOTE:
Viewing interactive molecules requires the CHIME plug-in. Check the CHIME download page for the necessary requirements for your computer. You can obtain the CHIME plug-in here: Experiment using your mouse in the interactive window to get a better feel for the molecular geometry.

Number of Electron Groups Class Lewis Dot Formula Electronic Geometry Image Molecular Geometry Interactive Molecule

2 AB₂ linear Linear hydrogen cyanide molecule linear

3 AB₃ trigonal planar Trigonal planar boron trihydride trigonal planar

Note: the X represents unpaired electrons.
AB₂X trigonal planar Bent sulfur dioxide bent

4 AB₄ tetrahedral Tetrahedral silicon tetrafluoride tetrahedral

AB₃X tetrahedral Trigonal pyramidal ammonia trigonal pyramidal

AB₂X₂ tetrahedral Bent water bent

5 AB₅ trigonal bipyramidal Trigonal bipyramidal phosphorous pentachloride trigonal bipyramidal

AB₄X trigonal bipyramidal See saw sulfur tetrafluoride distorted tetrahedron (or seesaw)

AB₃X₂ trigonal bipyramidal T-shapted bromine trifluoride T-shaped

AB₂X₃ trigonal bipyramidal Linear xenon difluoride linear

6 AB₆ octahedral Octahedral selenium hexafluoride octahedral

AB₅X octahedral Square pyramidal iodine pentafluoride square pyramidal

AB₄X₂ octahedral Square planar xenon tetrafluoride square planar

Number of Electron Groups	Class	Lewis Dot Formula	Electronic Geometry	Image	Molecular Geometry	Interactive Molecule
2	AB₂		linear		linear
3	AB₃		trigonal planar		trigonal planar
Note: the X represents unpaired electrons.	AB₂X		trigonal planar		bent
4	AB₄		tetrahedral		tetrahedral
	AB₃X		tetrahedral		trigonal pyramidal
	AB₂X₂		tetrahedral		bent
5	AB₅		trigonal bipyramidal		trigonal bipyramidal
	AB₄X		trigonal bipyramidal		distorted tetrahedron (or seesaw)
	AB₃X₂		trigonal bipyramidal		T-shaped
	AB₂X₃		trigonal bipyramidal		linear
6	AB₆		octahedral		octahedral
	AB₅X		octahedral		square pyramidal
	AB₄X₂		octahedral		square planar