Determine the electron geometry of CH3OH (skeletal structure H3COH). Indicate the geometry about carbon atom.
tetrahedral
hexahedral
pentahedral
trigonal planar
linear
Part B
Determine the electron geometry of CH3OH (skeletal structure H3COH). Indicate the geometry about carbon atom.
trigonal pyramidal
linear
bent
tetrahedral
trigonal planar
Part C
Determine the electron geometry of CH3OH (skeletal structure H3COH). Indicate the geometry about carbon atom.
tetrahedral
linear
hexahedral
trigonal planar
pentahedral
Part D
Determine the electron geometry of CH3OH (skeletal structure H3COH). Indicate the geometry about carbon atom.
tetrahedral
bent
trigonal planar
linear
trigonal pyramidal
Part E
Determine the electron geometry of CH3OH (skeletal structure H3COH). Indicate the geometry about carbon atom.
trigonal planar
pentahedral
tetrahedral
hexahedral
linear
Part F
Determine the electron geometry of CH3OH (skeletal structure H3COH). Indicate the geometry about carbon atom.
linear
tetrahedral
trigonal pyramidal
trigonal planar
bent
Part G
Determine the electron geometry of CH3OH (skeletal structure H3COH). Indicate the geometry about carbon atom.
tetrahedral
hexahedral
trigonal planar
pentahedral
linear
Part H
Determine the electron geometry of CH3OH (skeletal structure H3COH). Indicate the geometry about carbon atom.
linear
bent
tetrahedral
trigonal planar
trigonal pyramidal
Part I
Determine the electron geometry of CH3OH (skeletal structure H3COH). Indicate the geometry about carbon atom.
tetrahedral
pentahedral
trigonal planar
linear
hexahedral
Part J
Determine the electron geometry of CH3OH (skeletal structure H3COH). Indicate the geometry about carbon atom.
linear
bent
tetrahedral
trigonal planar
trigonal pyramidal
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Answer:
For all parts (A–J), the electron geometry about the carbon atom in CH₃OH (methanol) is tetrahedral.
Explanation:
Methanol (CH₃OH) consists of a carbon (C) atom bonded to three hydrogen (H) atoms and one oxygen (O) atom. The oxygen is also bonded to a hydrogen atom, forming a hydroxyl (-OH) group.
Step 1: Identify the Central Atom
- The central atom in CH₃OH is carbon (C) because it forms the main framework of the molecule.
Step 2: Determine the Number of Electron Groups Around Carbon
- Carbon forms four single bonds:
- Three C-H bonds
- One C-O bond
- Each single bond represents one electron group. Since carbon has four electron groups, the electron geometry is tetrahedral.
Step 3: Apply VSEPR Theory
- VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory states that electron groups arrange themselves to minimize repulsion.
- With four electron groups, the tetrahedral shape allows for maximum separation and stability.
- The ideal bond angle for a tetrahedral geometry is 109.5°.
Step 4: Consider Other Geometry Options
- Trigonal planar (120°): Requires three electron groups (e.g., sp² hybridized carbon with a double bond). Not applicable to CH₃OH.
- Linear (180°): Requires two electron groups (e.g., sp hybridized carbon with triple/double bonds). Not applicable to CH₃OH.
- Bent, trigonal pyramidal, pentahedral, or hexahedral: These do not fit CH₃OH’s carbon atom electron geometry.
Step 5: Confirm the Answer
Since carbon in CH₃OH has four single bonds (four electron groups), tetrahedral is the only correct electron geometry.