Use VSEPR theory to predict the shape of the molecule SiCI4.

Question

Use VSEPR theory to predict the shape of the molecule [latex] SiCl_{4}[/latex].

Accepted Answer

ANALYZE THE PROBLEM	Given	Need	Connect
ANALYZE THE PROBLEM	[latex] SiCl_{4}[/latex]	shape	Lewis structure, electron groups, bonded atoms

STEP 1 Draw the Lewis structure. Using 32 [latex]e^{-}[/latex] , we draw the bonds and lone pairs for the Lewis strucntre of [latex]SiCl_{4}[/latex].

Name of Element	Silicon	Chlorine
Symbol of Element	Si	Cl
Atoms of Element	1 Si	4 Cl
Valence Electrons	4[latex] e^{-}[/latex]	7 [latex] e^{-}[/latex]
Total Electrons	[latex] 1(4 e^{-}) + 4(7 e^{-}) = 32 e^{-}[/latex]

[latex] \begin{array}{r c}& {}_{\bullet }^{\bullet } \overset{\bullet \bullet }{\underset{\bullet \bullet }{Cl_{\bullet }^{\bullet }}} \overset{{}_{\bullet }^{\bullet } \overset{\bullet \bullet }{\underset{\bullet \bullet }{Cl_{\bullet }^{\bullet }}}}{\underset{{}_{\bullet }^{\bullet } \overset{\bullet \bullet }{\underset{\bullet \bullet }{Cl_{\bullet }^{\bullet }}}}{Si_{\bullet }^{\bullet }}} \overset{\bullet \bullet }{\underset{\bullet \bullet }{Cl_{\bullet }^{\bullet }}}\end{array} [/latex]

STEP 2 Arrange the electron groups around the central atom to minimize repulsion. In the Lewis structure of [latex]SiCl_{4}[/latex], there are four electron groups around the central Si atom. To minimize repulsion, the electron-group geometry would be tetrahedral.

STEP 3 Use the atoms bonded to the central atom to determine the shape. Because the central Si atom has four bonded pairs and no lone pairs of electrons, the [latex]SiCl_{4}[/latex] molecule has a tetrahedral shape.

Question 6.16: Use VSEPR theory to predict the shape of the molecule SiCI4.

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