CH3OH Molecular Geometry / Shape and Bond Angles (Methanol)

Описание: A quick explanation of the molecular geometry of CH3OH (Methanol) including a description of the CH3OH bond angles.

Looking at the CH3OH Lewis structure we can see that there are for atoms attached to the central Carbon (C) atom as well as a lone pair of electrons. Based on VSEPR Theory (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory) the electron clouds on atoms and lone pair of electrons around the P atom will repel each other. As a result they will be pushed apart giving the CH3OH molecule a tetrahedral geometry or shape.

The CH3OH bond angle will be about 109 degrees since it has a tetrahedral molecular geometry.

--How to Determine the Molecular Geometry--

1) Draw the Lewis Structure for the compound.
2) Predict how the atoms and lone pairs will spread out when the repel each other.
3) Use a chart based on steric number (like the one in the video) or use the AXN notation to find the molecular shape. This will be determined by the number of atoms and lone pairs attached to the central atom.

Helpful Resources:
• How to Draw Lewis Structures:    • How to Draw Lewis Structures: Five Easy Steps  
• Molecular Geometry and VSEPR Explained:    • Molecular Geometry: Rules, Examples, and P...  
• Molecular Geo App: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/m...

Get more chemistry help at http://www.breslyn.org

Drawing/writing done in InkScape. Screen capture done with Camtasia Studio 4.0. Done on a Dell Dimension laptop computer with a Wacom digital tablet (Bamboo).