Square pyramidal molecular geometry

Square pyramidal molecular geometry
ExamplesChlorine pentafluoride (ClF5), MnCl2−5
Point groupC4v
Coordination number5
Structure of xenon oxytetrafluoride, an example of a molecule with the square pyramidal coordination geometry.

Square pyramidal geometry describes the shape of certain chemical compounds with the formula ML5 where L is a ligand. If the ligand atoms were connected, the resulting shape would be that of a pyramid with a square base. The point group symmetry involved is of type C4v. The geometry is common for certain main group compounds that have a stereochemically-active lone pair, as described by VSEPR theory. Certain compounds crystallize in both the trigonal bipyramidal and the square pyramidal structures, notably [Ni(CN)5]3−.[1]

  1. ^ Spiro, Thomas G.; Terzis, Aristides; Raymond, Kenneth N. (1970). "Structure of Ni(CN)3−
    5    . Raman, infrared, and x-ray crystallographic evidence". Inorg. Chem. 9 (11): 2415. doi:10.1021/ic50093a006.