What is the electronic geometry and bond angle of BeCl2?

Beryllium dichloride (BeCl2) has a linear electronic geometry due to the arrangement of its surrounding electron pairs. In BeCl2, beryllium is the central atom, and it forms two bonds with chlorine atoms. Since beryllium has only two valence electrons, it forms two single covalent bonds with the two chlorine atoms, resulting in no lone pairs on the beryllium atom.

The geometry of a molecule is influenced by the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs around the central atom. In this case, with two bonding pairs and no lone pairs, the electron pairs will repel each other to achieve maximum distance apart, which occurs at an angle of 180 degrees. This linear arrangement minimizes electron pair repulsions according to VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory, leading to a straightforward linear geometry.

Therefore, the electronic geometry of BeCl2 is linear, and the bond angle is indeed 180 degrees. This configuration makes the molecular structure straightforward, emphasizing the linear shape that results from the two chlorine atoms positioned on opposite sides of the beryllium atom.