There are 24 total valence electrons in a BF 3 molecule. Trigonal PlanarīF 3 is an example of a trigonal planar molecule. CO 2 and BeH 2 are also linear molecules. The bond angles in a linear molecule are 180 degrees. In order for these lone pairs on each respective fluorine atom to be the furthest distance possible from the other fluorine atom, the molecule forms a straight line. There are 16 total valence electrons in a BeF 2 molecule, with three lone pairs (six electrons)on each fluorine atom. LinearīeF 2 is an example of a linear molecule. VSEPR Theory of Molecules without lone electron pairs on the central atomįor simplicity and organization, we will separate VSEPR structures into two categories: those with lone pairs on the central atom, and those without lone pairs on the central atom. Valence electrons repel one another because they are negatively charged and like charges repel. In chemistry, VSEPR Theory is based on the principle that each atom in a molecule will seek a geometry that maximizes the distance between valence electron pairs, thus minimizing electron-electron repulsion. VSEPR Theory is short for Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory, a method of organizing molecules based on their geometric structures.
