Molecules with Electrons Oriented in Six Directions
Six pairs of electrons will orient themselves with four pairs 90 degrees apart in a plane and the two additional pairs at right angles to the plane. If there are lone pairs, they exert an influence but are not seen in the molecular geometry. Click on the image and drag to rotate the molecules.
What do you think happens to the bond angles between adjacent atoms when lone pairs are present?
Any lone pairs arrange themselves above and below the plane.
| Sulfur hexachloride SCl6 | Bromine pentafluoride BrF5 | Xenon tetrachloride ICl4 |
| octahedral | square pyramidal | square planar |