Question

Which molecule has V-shape? This question has multiple correct options
(A) ${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O}}$
(B) ${\text{SnC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}$
(C) ${\text{PbC}}{{\text{1}}_{\text{2}}}$
(D) None of these

Answer 1

In each molecule, determine the hybridization of the central atom. From the hybridization, determine the electron pair geometry and the molecular geometry.

Complete step-by-step answer:
${\text{PbC}}{{\text{1}}_{\text{2}}}$ molecule has linear geometry. In water molecules, the central oxygen atom has 2 bond pairs and 2 lone pairs of electrons. Oxygen atom is ${\text{s}}{{\text{p}}^3}$ hybridized with tetrahedral electron pair geometry and V shaped molecular geometry. The ideal tetrahedral bond angle is ${\text{10}}{{\text{9}}^o}{\text{28'}}$ , but in water molecule, the ${\text{H}} - {\text{O}} - {\text{H}}$ bond angle is ${\text{104}}{\text{.}}{{\text{5}}^o}$ . This is due to greater lone pair lone pair repulsion and lone pair bond pair repulsion as compared to bond pair bond pair repulsion.

In ${\text{SnC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}$ molecule, the central tin atom has 2 bond pairs and 1 lone pair of electrons. Tin atom is ${\text{s}}{{\text{p}}^2}$ hybridized with Trigonal planar electron pair geometry and V shaped molecular geometry. The ideal bond angle is ${\text{12}}{{\text{0}}^o}$ , but in ${\text{SnC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}$ molecule, the ${\text{Cl}} - {\text{Sn}} - {\text{Cl}}$ bond angle is less ${\text{12}}{{\text{0}}^o}$ . This is due to greater lone pair bond pair repulsion as compared to bond pair bond pair repulsion. The molecules ${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O}}$and ${\text{SnC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}$ have V-shaped geometries.

Hence, the options (A) and (B) are the correct answers.

Note: For several molecules, the electron pair geometry is different from the molecular geometry. This is due to the presence of lone pairs of electrons on the central atom.