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Diatomic molecules like O2 have a linear molecular geometry.

The Claim

A dioxygen molecule (O2) has a bent (curved) molecular geometry.

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The Short Version

Standard chemistry definitions do not support this statement. O2 is a diatomic molecule, and diatomic molecules are classified as linear because two nuclei define a straight line. References to electron density or vibration do not change the formal molecular geometry to bent.

Caveats

  • “Bent” molecular geometry requires at least three atoms and a central atom; O2 has only two atoms.
  • Do not confuse electron-density behavior or molecular vibrations with the formal geometry defined by atomic positions.
  • A diatomic molecule has no bond angle in the usual molecular-shape sense, so calling O2 “curved” is a misuse of the terminology.

The Receipts

  1. Experimental data for O 2 (Oxygen diatomic)

    NIST Computational Chemistry Comparison and Benchmark Database

  2. Oxygen | NIST Chemistry WebBook

    NIST Chemistry WebBook

  3. Oxygen

    PubChem

  4. Dioxygen | O2

    PubChem (NIH)

  5. 9.2: The VSEPR Model

    Chemistry LibreTexts

  6. Geometry of Molecules

    Chemistry LibreTexts

  7. Molecular Structure & Bonding

    Michigan State University Department of Chemistry

  8. Predicting Electron-Pair Geometry and Molecular Shape

    University of Calgary Chemistry Textbook

  9. Chemistry Textbook: Molecular Geometry and Polarity - Library Guides

    Georgia Southern University

  10. Bond Angles and the Shapes of Molecules

    University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Chemistry

+ 10 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

Oxygen Gas

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