Structural Chemistry Tutorial Page
Seesaw Shaped (AX4E)
This is an example of a seesaw shaped molecule. These molecules are
much less common than trigonal pyramidal and tetrahedral molecules.
The central atom is surrounded by four adjacent atoms, two on the same
plane (axial) and two below (equatorial). This shape is caused by a
lone pair of electrons on the central atom. An example of a seesaw
shaped molecule is sulfur tetrafluoride, or SF4. Sulfur is the central
atom, two fluorine atoms are on the equatorial plane, and two are on
the axial plane. The angle formed by the F-S-F axial plane is 173 degrees
and 3.28 Angstroms in length, which can be attributed to the lone pair
of electrons on the S atom. The equatorial plane fluorine atoms form
an angle of 89 degrees, and the angle formed from the equatorial plane
fluorine atoms to the axial plane fluorine atoms is 103 degrees.
To zoom, hold "Shift", and hold the left mouse button
moving it across the image. To rotate the molecule manually, hold the
left mouse button and drag it across the picture.
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