Lab 6 - Molecular Geometry

Purpose

• A
  To explore some simple molecular structures.
• B
  To explore the relationship between bond order and bond length.
• C
  To explore resonance structures.

Goals

• •
  To compare Lewis structures to three-dimensional models.
• •
  To visualize the three-dimensional structures of some common molecules.
• •
  To obtain bond angle, bond length, and hybridization data for molecules.
• •
  To rationalize differences in predicted and measured values.
• •
  To learn how to use computer modeling software.

Introduction

The chemical and physical properties of covalently bonded materials are related to the spatial arrangement of the atoms and other electrons not involved in the actual bond formation. There are many ways to depict the spatial arrangement in both two and three dimensions. A Lewis structure is a two-dimensional representation of the arrangement of the atoms, bonding electrons and non-bonding (lone pair) electrons in a covalent material. In a Lewis structure, the nucleus is represented by the atomic symbol with a line between the atoms in a bond depicting each pair of shared bonding electrons in the structure. Non-bonding electrons around the atoms are depicted as dots. The steps to building a Lewis structure representation of a molecule are shown below. The Lewis structure of the formate ion, CHO₂^-, will be used as an example.

Figure 4

The structure shown above is the Lewis structure representation of the formate ion. Note that the structure could also have been drawn with two bonds directed towards the oxygen on the right. This is known as a resonance structure. Resonance structures have the same number of electrons, but may have a different number of shared pairs or the atoms in the structure may have different formal charges.

Figure 5

Once a Lewis structure has been drawn, one can evaluate the bond order of shared pairs. A shared pair is a single bond with a bond order of 1; two shared pairs in a bond is a double bond (bond order = 2) and three shared pairs in a bond is a triple bond (bond order = 3). In general, the bond strength increases and bond length decreases as the bond order increases. (The bond length is the distance between the centers of the two atoms bonded together). Thus, a single bond is longer than a triple bond, but the triple bond is stronger. Note: This general statement applies when comparing the bond order of similarly bonded atoms. However, as noted, the Lewis structure is a two-dimensional representation of the molecule or ion. The two-dimensional diagram does not show us the geometry or shape of the molecule. Over the years, many theories have attempted to explain the shape of covalently bonded substances; one of the simplest is the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory. In most molecules, electrons occur in pairs, either as part of a bond (bonding pair) or as a lone pair; these pairs occupy space around an atom. The theory proposes that these areas or electron regions repel one another. VSEPR theory's main postulate is that the regions around a given atom will arrange themselves to minimize this repulsion by positioning themselves as far apart as possible. This leads to a predictable shape based on simple geometry. For the purposes of the VSEPR theory, it is more helpful to think about electron groups (rather than just electron pairs) and the regions the groups occupy in space. A lone pair or bonding pair are each considered to be an electron group. However, the four electrons in a double bond or the six electrons in a triple bond are also considered to be one electron group. In each case they occupy one region where they are bonding two atoms together. The position of the electron groups determines the angles at which centers of those electron regions are located. As a result, the angle between atoms that may be at the ends of those electron groups is also determined. These angles for covalent compounds that obey the octet rule are shown in the table below. The values in the table give the angles between the centers of the electron regions. If these are bonding groups (single, double or triple bonds), this number also is the bond angle.

Figure 6

Also shown in the above table are the hybridized orbitals used to form the σ-bonds (sigma bonds) and to hold the lone pairs. Chemists invoke hybrid orbitals based on the assumption that one atom will point its electron region directly at an atom to which it bonds. s orbitals do not point in any direction, and simple p atomic orbitals lie 90^o apart along the x-, y- and z-axes. Regions in space that point 109°, 120° or 180° apart result by taking mathematical combinations (hybrids) of the simple atomic orbitals. Hybrid orbitals have thus been incorporated into the language that describes covalent bonding. When we use the term molecular geometry or molecular shape, we are not describing the shape of the electron regions, but rather, the location of the atoms. The words used to describe the shapes are therefore describing the location of the atoms. Where four atoms surround a central atom, the shape would be tetrahedral. Where three atoms surround a central atom, the shape would either be trigonal planar or pyramidal. Where two atoms surround a central atom, the shape would either be linear or bent. It is difficult to represent three-dimensional structures, like molecules, on a flat piece of paper. It is equally as difficult to look at a molecular structure drawn on a piece of paper and imagine what it would look like in three-dimensions. With the help of a molecular model kit and a computer modeling program, you will be able to visualize a molecule in three-dimensions. In this lab, you will use a computer program within WebAssign that allows molecules to be rotated, just like you could manually rotate a model built with a model kit. You will also be able to use the computer program to obtain experimentally determined measurements, such as bond angles and bond lengths, for the molecule under investigation. In introductory chemistry courses, we often predict bond angles and bond lengths in simple molecules based on VSEPR or hybridization. However, our predictions are simply approximations because other factors influence the structure of real molecules. In this lab, you will compare the bond angles and bond lengths predicted from theory to the experimentally determined values. You will then be asked to explain differences that occur between the experimental values and the theoretical values.

Equipment

About the Model Kit

The Chem-Tutor model kit was designed by Professor Samuel G. Levine for use by his organic chemistry students at North Carolina State University. Atoms: Atoms are represented by jacks that have one, two, three or four pegs coming out. Each peg represents an electron region (or electron group). The electron regions (groups) can be single bonds, double bonds, triple bonds or lone pairs. In general, black jacks are used for carbon, blue for nitrogen, red for oxygen, white for hydrogen and yellow for sulfur. More important than color is the number of pegs. The type of atom/jack to use is determined by the Lewis structure of the molecule. Bonds: Green bonds can be used for single, double or triple bonds. Do not bend the green bonds to force a molecule into a particular shape. Although you are strong enough to bend these bonds, it takes energy for atoms and molecules to bend away from the predicted angles and shapes. The molecules prefer to exist in the lowest energy configurations ("straight" green bonds). Black bonds between two carbon atoms can be used for carbon-carbon double bonds. You will notice that the pegs on each carbon define a plane, and that the two carbons are coplanar. The atoms at the ends of the bond are fixed in place. DO NOT attempt to twist this bond. White bonds are made out of rubberized plastic, and are the only ones that are meant to bend. They are only used for special "strained" structures that you should not encounter in this lab.

About the Computer Modeling Software

The molecules in your WebAssign In-Lab are viewed with jmol, a javascript plug-in. The computer files viewed with jmol contain real data from measurements on these molecules. Often we find that molecules follow what is predicted from textbooks. Occasionally, they do not. Do not be surprised if what you observe is sometimes different than what you might predict! Rotating a molecule: A molecule in the viewing area can be rotated in all directions. This can be achieved by holding down the left mouse button while moving the mouse. After a few tries at this, you should be able to manipulate the molecule any way that you want. To determine a bond length: Double click on one of the atoms in the bond. The cursor will change to a "+". Then double click on the other atom in the bond. The measurement will be displayed in nanometers (nm). To make the measurement disappear, re-measure the bond in the same way. To determine a bond angle: Double click on one of the atoms of the angle. The cursor will change to a "+". Then single click on the vertex of the angle. And last, double click on the third atom in the angle. The measurement will be displayed in degrees. To make the measurement disappear, re-measure the angle in the same way.

Reagents

No chemicals will be used in this experiment.

Safety

None of the materials being used in this experiment present a safety hazard. However, the work is being done in a laboratory and the usual rules about eye protection and proper clothing apply.

Waste Disposal

Since no chemicals are being used in this experiment, there will not be any waste for disposal.

Lab Procedure

You will notice the format of this lab experiment is different than other experiments. You will build a series of models and investigate them on the computer. Questions to help you with your observations are intermingled with the procedure. Please answer the questions in your lab manual along with any other observations you make while you are building the structures.

• •
  Launch Internet Explorer.
• •
  Open one partner's Molecular Geometry In-Lab in WebAssign.

Please print the worksheet for this lab. You will need this sheet to record your data.

Part A: Exploring Simple Structures

For each of the following molecules,

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  Review the correct, complete Lewis structure(s), including any resonance structures and any formal charges that you drew in your Prelab assignment.
• •
  Build the molecule with the model set.
• •
  Look at the molecule in your In-Lab assignment on WebAssign.
• •
  Fill in the table and answer the questions below.

Part B: Bond Order vs. Bond Length

For each of the following molecules,

• •
  Review the correct, complete Lewis structure(s), including any resonance structures and any formal charges that you drew in your Prelab assignment.
• •
  Build the molecule with the model set.
• •
  Look at the molecule in your In-Lab assignment on WebAssign.
• •
  Fill in the table and answer the questions below.

Part C: Resonance Structures

Draw the Lewis structures for Part C on your lab worksheet. For each of the following molecules,

• •
  Review the correct, complete Lewis structure(s), including any resonance structures and any formal charges that you drew in your Prelab assignment.
• •
  Build the molecule with the model set.
• •
  Look at the molecule in your In-Lab assignment on WebAssign.
• •
  Fill in the table and answer the questions below.

• •
  When you are done, clean up any model set structures and leave the sets as you found them when you arrived in the lab.
• •
  Before leaving, go to a computer in the laboratory and enter your results in the In-Lab assignment. If all results are scored as correct, log out. If not all results are correct, try to find the error or consult with your lab instructor. When all results are correct, note them and log out of WebAssign. The In-Lab assignment must be completed by the end of the lab period. If additional time is required, please consult with your lab instructor.

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