What Is The Molecular Structure Of Arsenic Tribromide?

Arsenic tribromide is a chemical compound with the molecular formula AsBr3. Its structure can be described as a trigonal pyramidal shape, where the arsenic atom is at the center of the pyramid and three bromine atoms are located at the corners.

The arsenic atom has five valence electrons (electron in the outermost shell available for bonding), while each bromine atom has seven valence electrons. To form the compound, arsenic shares its three valence electrons with the three bromine atoms to create covalent bonds. This results in an electron-deficient arsenic atom that forms the apex of the pyramid.

The molecule's symmetry results from the repulsion between electron pairs in the valence shell of the arsenic atom. The three bond pairs of electrons push away from each other, forming a trigonal planar arrangement, and the two non-bonding pairs of electrons occupy the remaining positions, causing the pyramid's distortion.

In summary, arsenic tribromide has a trigonal pyramidal shape in which an arsenic atom is bonded to three bromine atoms. The bond angles are approximately 101 degrees, with the arsenic atom positioned above the plane of the bromine atoms.