According to the VSEPR theory, which shape is possible for a molecule with the molecular formula of AB3 (where the number of total electron groups is unstated)?

1 Answer
May 29, 2017

I know of 3 molecular geometries: trigonal planar (BF3), trigonal pyramidal (NH3), and T-shaped (ClF3).

Explanation:

By shape, I'll assume you mean the molecule's molecular geometry; that is, the arrangement of solely the atoms around the central atom, not the nonbonding electron pairs. We would expect the second element (B) to have one electron shy of a complete valence, because there are three of this element, and one of A. So, element B must either be a halogen or hydrogen, and element A must be a nonmetal (it's a molecule) in groups 13 or higher (groups 12 and lower are all metals, except for hydrogen, which is a possibility for B).

1.

Let's start with a group 13 element, specifically B (boron). The compound boron trifluoride is BF3, so it is an AB3 molecule. We can predict it's molecular geometry by drawing its Lewis structure:

![http://people.uwplatt.edu](https://useruploads.socratic.org/0fo3cG2QqOG7bM4DxAto_lewbf3.gif)

We can see that since there are no nonbonding electrons left on the central boron atom, and there are three bonding pairs, the molecular geometry of BF3 is trigonal planar.

2.

You've probably heard of the compound ammonia, NH3. Ammonia is also an AB3 molecule, and its Lewis structure is

![http://people.uwplatt.edu](https://useruploads.socratic.org/f4AYfwfXRJclFnmpcp3M_lewnh3.gif)

Since NH3 has one nonbonding pair of electrons about the central N atom, and three bonding pairs, NH3 has the molecular geometry trigonal pyramidal.

3.

It is possible to form interhalogen compounds; that is, a molecule consisting of only halogen atoms. An example of this is ClF3, which is also an AB3 molecule. Its Lewis structure is

![http://people.uwplatt.edu](https://useruploads.socratic.org/MjBeCMw5S9mZf22f77gn_lewclf3.gif)

We can see that the central Cl atom has two pairs of nonbonding electrons, and three bonding pairs, which makes the molecular geometry of ClF3 T-shaped.