VSEPR ("Vesper") Theory

  1. Identify & count the valence electrons of the central atom
  2. Add the number of halogens (7th group)
  3. Add the number of hydrogens
    (if anything left over is in the 6th group, disregard it)
  4. SUBTRACT the charge
TP BP LP E-
Geometry 		Molec/Atomic
Geometry		 Angles
2 2 0 Linear Linear 180°
3 3 0 Trigonal planar Trigonal planar 120°
3 2 1 Trigonal planar BENT (trigonal planar) 118°
4 4 0 Tetrahedral Tetrahedral 109.5°
4 3 1 Tetrahedral Trigonal pyramidal 107°
4 2 2 Tetrahedral BENT (tetrahedral) 105°