Square Planar Molecular Geometry/Shape and Bond Angles

In this video we’ll look at the Square Planar Molecular Geometry and Bond Angles. We'll use the example of XeF4 to understand the square planar shape. To do that we'll use VSEPR Theory and the Lewis Structure for XeF4 and then use interactive models and visualization to visualize the Square Planar geometry.

The Square Planar molecular shape occurs when there are four atoms attached to the central atom and two lone pairs (unbonded pairs) of electrons on the central atom. XeF4 is a good example of a Square Planar molecular geometry.

It is useful to understand the generic molecular geometry and then apply it to specific molecules using either the steric number and number of lone pairs of electrons or the AXE notation.

For the more on the molecular geometries below see my video at:
- Linear
- Bent (90 and 120-degree bond angles)
- Trigonal Planer
- Trigonal Pyramidal
- Tetrahedral
- Trigonal Bipyramidal
- Octahedral

The role of lone pairs (unbonded electron pairs) and their VSEPR influence on molecule shape will also be addressed in the video.

Molecular Shapes done with PhET's free online website:

More info on the Square Planar molecular geometry at:

Drawing/writing done in InkScape. Screen capture done with Camtasia Studio 4.0. Done on a Dell Dimension laptop computer with a Wacom digital tablet (Bamboo).

[ArusakTehreemYounas]

Can you please share the exact number of bond angles at 90, 120 and 180 degrees in each of the molecular geometry

[jvig]

Thank you sir, a question though. The electrons don't subtract the 2.5 degrees from 90?

[rohitkurane]

How to calculate easily lamada max value??

[normancarson]

Very elegant💎💎💎! You are missing out - P r o m o S M!!