Q. \( \mathrm{Co_3^{2-}} \) electron geometry.

Q: What is the molecular geometry of \mathrm{CO_3^{2-}} ?

There are no lone pairs on carbon and 3 \mathrm{C-O} bonds, so the molecular geometry is trigonal planar.

Q: What is the steric number for carbonate, and what does it predict?

Steric number =3. A steric number of 3 predicts trigonal planar electron geometry and 120° bond angles.

Q: What bond angle should \mathrm{CO_3^{2-}} have in ideal VSEPR geometry?

Ideal bond angles are 120^\circ for trigonal planar electron geometry.

Answer

\( \text{CO}_3^{2-} \) has three electron groups around the central atom carbon: three bonds to oxygen (one group per C–O connection). The carbonate structure is trigonal planar, so the electron-geometry is \( \text{trigonal planar} \).

Electron geometry: trigonal planar (\(120^\circ\)).

Detailed Explanation

Step 1: Identify the ion

The species is \(\text{CO}_3^{2-}\), which is the carbonate ion.

Step 2: Determine the central atom

In carbonate, the central atom is the carbon atom. Oxygen atoms are the surrounding atoms bonded to carbon.

Step 3: Count electron domains (electron geometry)

For electron geometry, we use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) concept: we must count electron domains around the central atom (each single bond counts as one domain; double bonds also count as one domain because they occupy one region of electron density).

The central carbon has:

3 bonding regions (three C–O connections)

So the number of electron domains is \(3\).

Step 4: Use VSEPR to get electron geometry

For \(3\) electron domains, VSEPR predicts:

Electron geometry: trigonal planar

Step 5: State the electron-geometry name

The electron geometry of \(\text{CO}_3^{2-}\) is:

Trigonal planar

Final Answer

\(\text{CO}_3^{2-}\) electron geometry: trigonal planar

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General Chemistry FAQs

What is the electron geometry of \( \mathrm{CO_3^{2-}} \) based on VSEPR?

The central carbon has 3 electron-density regions (trigonal); thus the electron geometry is trigonal planar.

What is the molecular geometry of \( \mathrm{CO_3^{2-}} \)?

There are no lone pairs on carbon and 3 \(\mathrm{C-O}\) bonds, so the molecular geometry is trigonal planar.

How do I count electron groups for \( \mathrm{CO_3^{2-}} \) in VSEPR?

Carbon is the center. It forms 3 sigma bonds to oxygen, so there are 3 electron groups. Multiple bonds still count as one electron group in VSEPR.

What is the steric number for carbonate, and what does it predict?

Steric number \(=3\). A steric number of 3 predicts trigonal planar electron geometry and 120° bond angles.

Does the presence of resonance in \( \mathrm{CO_3^{2-}} \) change the electron geometry?

No. Resonance changes bond order distribution, but the arrangement of electron regions around carbon remains 3 regions, so geometry stays trigonal planar.

Are there lone pairs on the central atom in \( \mathrm{CO_3^{2-}} \)?

No lone pairs are on the carbon center, so all electron regions are bonding regions, giving trigonal planar geometry.

What bond angle should \( \mathrm{CO_3^{2-}} \) have in ideal VSEPR geometry?

Ideal bond angles are \(120^\circ\) for trigonal planar electron geometry.

Try Co3 3D electron geometry.
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