linear

Linear

Molecules with 2 VSEPR pairs adopt a linear VSEPR shape.

CO2 is an example of a molecule with the VSEPR formula AX2. The VSEPR shape is linear and the molecule is linear, with an X-A-X angle of 180 at the central carbon atom. That is, the angle between each oxygen atom, denoted X, and the central carbon atom, denoted A, is 180. There are two VSEPR pairs, because n=2 and m=0, and therefore n+ m = 2.

If one of the positions is occupied by a lone pair, the VSEPR formula is AXE. There are two VSEPR pairs, because n=1 and m=1, and therefore n+ m = 2. The VSEPR shape is linear and the molecular shape is linear.