PPT Slide
- Five electron groups maximize their separation forming a trigonal bipyramidal arrangement.
- Two types of electron groups and two ideal bond angles.
- Three equatorial groups in a trigonal plane with the central atom; two axial groups above and below the plane.
- Larger bond angles have weaker repulsions; equatorial-equatorial (120°) repulsions are weaker than axial-equatorial (90°) repulsions.
- If all 5 positions hold bonded atoms, the molecule has a trigonal bipyramidal shape, AX5.
Notes: