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

Hint: 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.