Vsepr

[KathChem82]

Pls help! What is the importance of the VSEPR theory?

[KathChem82]

How is it significant in predicting the reactivity of a molecule or compound? If there is any.

[jeffy]

The importance is if you know about a molecules electrons and bonds, you can predict its shape. VSEPR's not used for reactivity.

[KathChem82]

hi jeff. I thought reactivity is also brought about by shape? just like enzymes.

[jeffy]

VSEPR will tell you if a molecule is linear or tetrahedral, for example. We might use VSEPR theory to tell us a particular molecule is linear, but that doesn't tell us if it's reactive or not.

[KathChem82]

hi jeff. thanks for that. But i think through the shapes, we will have ideas on how and to what a molecule reacts. Like if we have a certain hydrocarbon, we will be able to tell if it will undergo a syn or anti addition.