Chapter 3, Problem 3I.14E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Bond angle of $\text{Si}-\text{O}-\text{Si}$ in silica $\left({\text{SiO}}_2\right)$ molecule has to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion model predicts shape by inclusion of bond angles and most distant arrangement of atoms that leads to minimum repulsion.

For molecules that have lone pairs around central atom, lone pairs influence shape, because there are no atoms at the positions occupied by these lone pairs. The key rule that governs the molecular shape, in this case, is the extent of lone –lone pair repulsions are far greater than lone bond pair or bond pair-bond pair repulsions. The table that summarizes the molecular shapes possible for various combinations of bonded and lone pairs is given as follows:

$\begin{array}{cccc}\text{Steric number}& \text{Number of lone pairs}& \text{Molecular geometry}& \text{Bond angles}\\ 2& 0& \text{Linear}& 180°\\ 3& \begin{array}{c}0\\ 1\end{array}& \begin{array}{c}\text{Trigonal planar}\\ \text{Bent}\end{array}& 120°\\ 4& \begin{array}{c}0\\ 1\\ 2\end{array}& \begin{array}{c}\text{Tetrahedral}\\ \text{Trigonal pyramidal}\\ \text{Bent}\end{array}& 109.5°\\ 5& \begin{array}{c}0\\ 1\\ 2\\ 3\end{array}& \begin{array}{c}\text{Trigonal Bi-pyramidal}\\ \text{See-Saw}\\ \text{T-shaped}\\ \text{Linear}\end{array}& 90°\text{,120 }°,180°\\ 6& \begin{array}{c}0\\ 1\\ 2\end{array}& \begin{array}{c}\text{Octahedral}\\ \text{Square pyramidal}\\ \text{Square planar}\end{array}& 90°\text{,}180°\end{array}$