page_title: T-shaped molecular geometry
hierarchical_section_title: T-shaped molecular geometry
context_page_description: In chemistry, T-shaped molecular geometry describes the structures of some molecules where a central atom has three ligands. Ordinarily, three-coordinated compounds adopt trigonal planar or pyramidal geometries. Examples of T-shaped molecules are the halogen trifluorides, such as ClF₃.
  According to VSEPR theory, T-shaped geometry results when three ligands and two lone pairs of electrons are bonded to the central atom, written in AXE notation as AX₃E₂. The T-shaped geometry is related to the trigonal bipyramidal molecular geometry for AX₅ molecules with three equatorial and two axial ligands. In an AX₃E₂ molecule, the two lone pairs occupy two equatorial positions, and the three ligand atoms occupy the two axial positions as well as one equatorial position. The three atoms bond at 90° angles on one side of the central atom, producing the T shape.
  The trifluoroxenate(II) anion, XeF⁻
  ₃, has been investigated as a possible first example of an AX₃E₃ molecule, which might be expected by VSEPR reasoning to have six electron pairs in an octahedral arrangement with both the three lone pairs and the three ligands in a mer or T-shaped orientations.
context_section_description: In chemistry, T-shaped molecular geometry describes the structures of some molecules where a central atom has three ligands. Ordinarily, three-coordinated compounds adopt trigonal planar or pyramidal geometries. Examples of T-shaped molecules are the halogen trifluorides, such as ClF₃.
  According to VSEPR theory, T-shaped geometry results when three ligands and two lone pairs of electrons are bonded to the central atom, written in AXE notation as AX₃E₂. The T-shaped geometry is related to the trigonal bipyramidal molecular geometry for AX₅ molecules with three equatorial and two axial ligands. In an AX₃E₂ molecule, the two lone pairs occupy two equatorial positions, and the three ligand atoms occupy the two axial positions as well as one equatorial position. The three atoms bond at 90° angles on one side of the central atom, producing the T shape.
  The trifluoroxenate(II) anion, XeF⁻
  ₃, has been investigated as a possible first example of an AX₃E₃ molecule, which might be expected by VSEPR reasoning to have six electron pairs in an octahedral arrangement with both the three lone pairs and the three ligands in a mer or T-shaped orientations. Although this anion has been detected in the gas phase, attempts at synthesis in solution and experimental structure determination were unsuccessful. A computational chemistry study showed a distorted planar Y-shaped geometry with the smallest F–Xe–F bond angle equal to 69°, rather than 90° as in a T-shaped geometry.
caption: Structure of chlorine trifluoride, an example of a compound with T-shaped coordination geometry.
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