Elektrondomängeometrin

Elektrondomängeometrin, often translated as electron domain geometry, is a fundamental concept in chemistry used to predict the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms and electron pairs around a central atom in a molecule. This geometry is determined by the total number of electron domains, which includes both bonding electron pairs (shared between two atoms) and non-bonding electron pairs, also known as lone pairs. The principle governing this arrangement is the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, which states that electron domains will orient themselves as far apart as possible in three-dimensional space to minimize electrostatic repulsion.

The electron domain geometry is a crucial first step in determining the overall molecular geometry. The number of electron domains dictates the basic shape. For example, two electron domains lead to a linear electron domain geometry, three domains result in a trigonal planar geometry, four domains give a tetrahedral arrangement, five domains form a trigonal bipyramidal shape, and six domains create an octahedral electron domain geometry. Once the electron domain geometry is established, the presence of lone pairs on the central atom can influence the final molecular geometry, which describes the arrangement of only the atoms.