AX2E3

	Shapes of Molecules

AX₂E₃

	Shape:	Linear
	Steric Number:	5
	Lone Pairs:	3
	Polar/NonPolar:	NonPolar
	Hybridization:	sp³d
	Example:	I₃^-
	GIF File:	ax2e3.gif (63K)

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NOTES: This molecule is made up of 5 sp³d hybrid orbitals. Three orbitals are arranged around the equator of the molecule with bond angles of 120^o. Two orbitals are arranged along the vertical axis at 90^o from the equatorial orbitals. The shape of the orbitals is trigonal bipyramidal. All three equatorial orbitals contain lone pairs of electrons. The three atom molecule has a linear shape.