Question regarding VSEPR

[whitesniper001]

According to VSEPR theory would I be right to assume that the first image is more accurate rather than the second one as it includes the double bonds present which can’t be shown using wedges and dashes? Thanks

 

 

 

Also when drawing a molecule using VSEPR do you show lone pairs that are not on the central atom but on another atom? Or do you only show lone pairs on the central atom and ignore the rest but include them only when drawing a lewis dot structure? Thanks

[whitesniper001]

Anyone have any input, would be very grateful

[irfuzzbucket]

Hey,

 

You seem to be merging two different diagrams. There are Lewis diagrams and there are VSEPR diagrams.

 

-Lewis diagrams account for all electrons in the molecule (including ones within bonds).

-VSEPR diagrams don't care about all of the electrons. They are more concerned with the structure of the overall molecule around the central atom.

 

Other hints:

 

Putting the double bonds at different angles coming off the central atom means nothing. If you want to show the shape, then you do the dashed and wedged lines. If you want to show the electrons you show the double bonds - 2 different diagrams

 

Hopefully this helps!

 

 

Mathiew