Five Electron Domains

Back to VSEPR Menu


Five electron domains around a central atom is known generally as trigonal bipyramidal and has four major variations you should know:

AX5 - trigonal bipyramid
AX4E - disphenoidal
AX3E2 - T-shaped
AX2E3 - linear

AX5 - Trigonal bipyramid

Molecule Lewis Structure 3-D Structure Comments
PF5 trigonal bipyramid
OSF4 The color red is simply there to help tell the electron pairs apart. It serves no other function.

AX4E - Disphenoidal

Molecule Lewis Structure 3-D Structure Comments
SF4 disphenoidal: the unshared electron pair is in the plane of the page. Also called see-saw or teeter-totter.

AX3E2 - T-shaped

Molecule Lewis Structure 3-D Structure Comments
ClF3 T-shaped: the two unshared electron pairs are projected in front of and behind the plane of the page.

AX2E3 - Linear

Molecule Lewis Structure 3-D Structure Comments
I3¯ linear

Back to VSEPR Menu