Question

What geometry does VSEPR predict for the central atom in NCl3

Answer 1

Answer:

Tetrahedral electron geometry and trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry.

Explanation:

The Lewis structure is shown in Figure 1.

The central N atom has three bonding pairs and one lone pair, for four electron groups.

VSEPR theory predicts a tetrahedral electron geometry with bond angles of 109.5°.

We do not count the lone pair in determining the molecular shape.

The molecular geometry is trigonal pyramidal (see Figure 2).