Square pyramidal molecular geometry

Square pyramidal geometry describes the shape of certain chemical compounds with the formula ML₅ where L is a ligand. If the ligand atoms were connected, the resulting shape would be that of a pyramid with a square base. The point group symmetry involved is of type C_4v. The geometry is common for certain main group compounds that have a stereochemically-active lone pair, as described by VSEPR theory. Certain compounds crystallize in both the trigonal bipyramidal and the square pyramidal structures, notably [Ni(CN)₅]³⁻.^[1]

Square pyramidal molecular geometry
Examples	Chlorine pentafluoride (ClF5), MnCl2−5
Point group	C4v
Coordination number	5

Structure of xenon oxytetrafluoride, an example of a molecule with the square pyramidal coordination geometry.

As a transition state in Berry pseudorotation

As a trigonal bipyramidal molecule undergoes Berry pseudorotation, it proceeds via an intermediary stage with the square pyramidal geometry. Thus even though the geometry is rarely seen as the ground state, it is accessed by a low energy distortion from a trigonal bipyramid.

Pseudorotation also occurs in square pyramidal molecules. Molecules with this geometry, as opposed to trigonal bipyramidal, exhibit heavier vibration. The mechanism used is similar to the Berry mechanism.

Examples

Some molecular compounds that adopt square pyramidal geometry are XeOF₄,^[2] and various halogen pentafluorides (XF₅, where X = Cl, Br, I).^[3][4] Complexes of vanadium(IV), such as vanadyl acetylacetonate, [VO(acac)₂], are square pyramidal (acac = acetylacetonate, the deprotonated anion of acetylacetone (2,4-pentanedione)).

See also

• AXE method
• Square pyramid
• Hypervalent molecule
• Molecular geometry