Molecular geometries sorted using the total number of sets of electrons

By knowing the number of bonds and the numnber of lone pairs, the shapes of common main group molecules with formulas MX₂, MX₃, MX₄, MX₅, MX₆ and MX₇ can be predicted. Use the interactive models below to investigate these shapes. You can also view the shapes sorted by molecular formula.

2 sets of electron pairs (bonds + lone pairs = 2) 2 bonds and no lone pairs: linear. Examples: BeH2, CO2 and CS2 View structure in 3D   3 sets of electron pairs (bonds + lone pairs = 3) 3 bonds and no lone pairs: trigonal planar. Examples: BF3, BH3, CH3+ View structure in 3D   2 bonds and 1 lone pair: bent. Examples: O3, SO2 and NO2- View structure in 3D   4 sets of electron pairs (bonds + lone pairs = 4) 4 bonds and no lone pairs: tetrahedron. Examples: CH4, NH4+ and BF4- View structure in 3D   3 bonds and 1 lone pair: trigonal pyramidal. Examples: NH3, PCl3, H3O+ View structure in 3D   2 bonds and 2 lone pairs: bent. Examples: H2O, NH2- and ClF2+ View structure in 3D   5 sets of electron pairs (bonds + lone pairs = 5) 5 bonds and no lone pair: trigonal bipyramidal. Examples: PF5, PCl5 and SF5- View structure in 3D   4 bonds and 1 lone pair: 'see saw'. Examples: SF4, ClF4+ and PF5- View structure in 3D   3 bonds and 2 lone pairs: T-shaped. Examples: ClF3, IF3 and XeF3+ View structure in 3D   2 bonds and 3 lone pairs: linear. Examples: XeF2, ClF2- and IF2- View structure in 3D   6 sets of electron pairs (bonds + lone pairs = 6) 6 bonds and no lone pairs: octahedral. Examples: SF6, PF6- and IF6+ View structure in 3D   5 bonds and 1 lone pair: square-based pyramid. Examples: BrF5, XeF5+ View structure in 3D   4 bonds and 2 lone pair: square planar. Examples: XeF4, ClF4- and IF4- View structure in 3D   7 sets of electron pairs (bonds + lone pairs = 7) 7 bonds and no lone pairs: pentagonal bipyramid. Example: IF7 View structure in 3D