Difference Between Trigonal Planar And Trigonal Pyramidal

Difference Between Trigonal Planar And Trigonal Pyramidal: Trigonal planar and trigonal pyramidal are two molecular geometries commonly observed in chemistry. In, trigonal planar geometry, one atom in the middle of a molecule is linked to three other atoms without any lone pairs of electrons on the central atom. In this geometry, the atoms are arranged in a flat, equilateral triangle around the central atom. In contrast, in trigonal pyramidal geometry, the center atom of a molecule is connected to three other atoms and contains a single lone pair of electrons.  The atoms are arranged in a pyramid shape, with the lone pair of electrons occupying the fourth position. The presence or absence of a lone pair of electrons on the central atom leads to different spatial arrangements of the atoms, and this can influence the molecule’s properties and reactivity.

Thus, trigonal planar and trigonal pyramidal geometries differ primarily in that the latter has a lone pair on the center atom. The overall form of the molecule is impacted by this lone pair, which causes variations from the ideal bond angles seen in trigonal planar structures. As a result, polarity, reactivity, and intermolecular interactions are among the characteristics that molecules with trigonal pyramidal geometry frequently display differently from those with trigonal planar geometry.

Difference Between Trigonal Planar and Trigonal Pyramidal

The difference between trigonal planar and trigonal pyramidal is tabulated below:

	Trigonal Planar	Trigonal pyramidal
Definition	A geometry in which a central atom is surrounded by three identical atoms or groups of atoms arranged at the corners of an equilateral triangle in one plane.	A geometry in which a central atom is surrounded by three identical atoms or groups of atoms and a lone pair of electrons, resulting in a three-dimensional shape.
Planarity	All the atoms lie in a single plane.	The atoms do not lie in a single plane.
Hybridization	The trigonal planar geometry is classified as a sp2d geometry.	The trigonal pyramidal shape is classified as sp3d geometry.
Type of repulsion	Trigonal planar molecules experience bond-bond repulsion because each atom is involved in a single bond only.	Trigonal pyramidal molecules experience both bond-bond and bond-lone pair repulsion because of the presence of both bonds and lone pairs around the central atom.
Repulsion	The repulsion between atoms is less because only bond-bond repulsion exists.	The repulsion between atoms is increased because both bond-bond and bond-lone pair repulsion exist.
Number of atoms bonded to the central atom	Three	Three
Number of lone pairs on the central atom	Zero	One
Bond angles between atoms	120 degrees	Less than 120 degrees
Molecular shape	Flat and planar	Three-dimensional and not planar
Polarity	Can be polar or nonpolar	Almost always polar
Stability	Generally more stable	Slightly less stable
Examples	Boron trifluoride (BF3), formaldehyde (CH2O)	Ammonia (NH3), phosphine (PH3)

Similarities Between Trigonal Planar and Trigonal Pyramidal

The similarities between Trigonal Planar and Trigonal Pyramidal is mentioned below:

• Trigonal pyramidal and Trigonal planer both have a central atom surrounded by three other atoms or groups of atoms. 
• Both have bond angles of 120 degrees between the surrounding atoms or groups of atoms.
• Additionally, both geometries have a C3 rotational symmetry axis. However, trigonal pyramidal geometry differs from trigonal planar geometry in that it has a lone pair of electrons on the central atom, which causes a deviation from the perfect trigonal planar geometry.

Trigonal Planar

Trigonal planar is a term used to define the geometry or arrangement of atoms in a molecule or ion in which a central atom is surrounded by three identical atoms or groups of atoms arranged at the corners of an equilateral triangle. In this geometry, the bond angles between the central atom and the three surrounding atoms are all 120 degrees, resulting in a flat and planar shape. Molecules with a trigonal planar geometry often have sp2 hybridization, which means that the central atom has three hybridized orbitals and one unhybridized p orbital. Examples of molecules with a trigonal planar geometry include boron trifluoride (BF₃), formaldehyde (CH₂O), and some ions, such as the carbonate ion (CO₃^2-).

Trigonal planar

Trigonal Pyramidal

Trigonal pyramidal is a term used to describe the geometry or arrangement of atoms in a molecule or ion in which a central atom is surrounded by three identical atoms or groups of atoms and a lone pair of electrons. In this geometry, the bond angles between the central atom and the three surrounding atoms are less than 120 degrees, resulting in a three-dimensional and not planar shape.
Molecules with a trigonal pyramidal geometry often have sp³ hybridization, which means that the central atom has four hybridized orbitals. Three of the orbitals are used to form sigma bonds with the other atoms, and the fourth orbital contains the lone pair of electrons. Examples of molecules with a trigonal pyramidal geometry include ammonia (NH₃), phosphine (PH₃), and some ions, such as the ammonium ion (NH₄⁺). The presence of a lone pair of electrons in a trigonal pyramidal molecule can affect its polarity, reactivity, and other properties. For example, molecules with a trigonal pyramidal geometry are generally polar due to the asymmetry created by the lone pair of electrons.

The presence of a lone pair of electrons in a trigonal pyramidal molecule can affect its polarity, reactivity, and other properties. For example, molecules with a trigonal pyramidal geometry are generally polar due to the asymmetry created by the lone pair of electrons.

Trigonal pyramidal

Conclusion

Trigonal planar and Trigonal pyramidal are two molecular geometries that are determined by the arrangement of atoms or groups around a central atom. Trigonal planar geometry has three atoms or groups arranged in a flat, triangular shape, while trigonal pyramidal geometry has three atoms or groups arranged in a pyramid shape. The geometry of a molecule is determined by the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons on the central atom and the repulsion between them. Understanding these geometries is important for predicting the properties and behaviors of various molecules and ions.

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Difference Between Trigonal Planar and Trigonal Pyramidal FAQs

What is the main difference between Trigonal Planar and Trigonal Pyramidal geometries?

The main difference between Trigonal Planar and Trigonal Pyramidal geometries is that the former has three atoms or groups arranged in the same plane, while the latter has a fourth atom or group located above the plane due to the presence of a lone pair of electrons on the central atom.

What types of molecules have Trigonal Planar geometry?

Molecules such as BF₃ (boron trifluoride), CO₃^2- (carbonate ion), and SO₃^2- (sulfite ion) have Trigonal Planar geometry.

What types of molecules have Trigonal Pyramidal geometry?

Molecules such as NH3 (ammonia), PF₃ (phosphorus trifluoride), and ClO₃^– (chlorate ion) have Trigonal Pyramidal geometry.

What is the symmetry element common to both Trigonal Planar and Trigonal Pyramidal geometries?

Both geometries have a C3 rotational symmetry axis, which is a rotational axis that passes through the central atom and two of the surrounding atoms or groups.