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CHEM 121 Studioby Learn4Less · UBC CHEM 121

CHEM 121 glossary

Electron domain

A region of electron density on the central atom that VSEPR counts as one unit: a lone pair, a single bond, a double or triple bond (one domain each), or a lone unpaired electron.

Central S atom bonded to 2 O atoms, with 1 lone pair.SOO120°Ideal bond angle: 120°
SOX2\ce{SO2}: two S–O bonds and one lone pair make 3 domains.

Example

In HCN\ce{HCN}, C has 2 domains (the C–H single bond and the C≡N triple bond), so it is linear, 180°.