molecular shape

hi guys,
i have problems with figuring out the molecular shapes of all the polyatomic ions. i'm ok with the compound ones,but totally have no clue for the ions. please help.

thanks

Reply 1

shengoc

Original post by kingsclub

hi guys,
i have problems with figuring out the molecular shapes of all the polyatomic ions. i'm ok with the compound ones,but totally have no clue for the ions. please help.

thanks

pretty much works the same way too, consider number of bonding pairs and lone pairs, but be aware of resonance delocalisation.

ie carbonate, CO3 2- is trigonal planar, SO42- is tetahedral, etc

Reply 2

kingsclub

but i'm totally freaked out by the number up there... actually, what do 2- or 2+ mean? i always mixed up which one "borrows" the electrons...

Reply 3

charco

Study Forum Helper

Original post by kingsclub

but i'm totally freaked out by the number up there... actually, what do 2- or 2+ mean? i always mixed up which one "borrows" the electrons...

If the structure carries a 2- charge it means that it has two 'extra' electrons that the atoms making the structure up didn't have.

If it has a 2+ charge it means that two electrons have been lost from the atoms making up the structure.