QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Use VSEPR theory to predict the molecular geometry of bromate ion, BrO^3−
Trigonal-pyramidal
Trigonal-planar
Tetrahedral
T-shaped
Trilateral
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this problem using VSEPR theory step by step:
Step 2:: Determine the central atom and valence electrons
- Total valence electrons: $$7 + (3 \times 6) + 1 = 26$$ electrons
- The central atom is Bromine (Br) - Bromine is in Group 17 (VIIA), so it has 7 valence electrons - The bromate ion (BrO^3−) has a - 1 charge
Step 3:: Draw the Lewis structure
- Bromine is the central atom - Oxygen atoms are terminal - Distribute electrons to create octets - The structure will have three resonance forms with double bonds
Step 4:: Count electron domains around the central atom
- Total electron domains: 4 - 3 single/double bonds to oxygen - 1 lone pair on bromine due to the negative charge
Step 5:: Determine electron domain geometry
- 4 total electron domains - Electron domain geometry is TETRAHEDRAL
Step 6:: Determine molecular geometry
- 3 bonding domains - 1 lone pair - This results in a TRIGONAL-PYRAMIDAL geometry
Final Answer
The key reasoning is the presence of 4 total electron domains (3 bonding, 1 lone pair) around the central bromine atom, which leads to a trigonal-pyramidal molecular geometry according to VSEPR theory.
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