Trigonal planar molecular geometry

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Idealized structure of a compound with trigonal planar coordination geometry.

In chemistry, trigonal planar is a molecular geometry with one atom at the center and three atoms at the corners of a triangle all in one plane^{[citation needed]}. In an ideal trigonal planar species, all three ligands are identical and all bond angles are 120°. Such species belong to the point group D_3h. Molecules where the three ligands are not identical, such as H₂CO, deviate from this idealized geometry. Examples of molecules with trigonal planar geometry include boron trifluoride (BF₃), formaldehyde (H₂CO), phosgene [[COCl₂), and sulfur trioxide (SO₃). Some ions with trigonal planar geometry include nitrate (NO₃⁻), carbonate ion (CO₃²⁻), and guanidinium C(NH₂)₃⁺. In organic chemistry, planar, three-connected carbon centers that are trigonal planar are often described as having sp² hybridization.^[1][2]

Nitrogen inversion is the distortion of pyramidal amine through a transition state that is trigonal planar.

[edit] References

1. ^ Holleman, A. F.; Wiberg, E. "Inorganic Chemistry" Academic Press: San Diego, 2001. ISBN 0-12-352651-5.
2. ^ G. L. Miessler and D. A. Tarr “Inorganic Chemistry” 3rd Ed, Pearson/Prentice Hall publisher, ISBN 0-13-035471-6.

[edit] See Also

• AXE method
• Molecular geometry

[edit] External Links

• 3D Chem Chemistry, Structures, and 3D Molecules
• Indiana University Molecular Structure Center
• Point Group Symmetry Interactive Examples
• Molecular Modeling
• Animated Trigonal Planar Visual

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