Question

Apart from tetrahedral geometry, another possible geometry for CH4 is square planar with the four H atoms at the corners of the square and the C atom at its centre. Explain why CH4 is not square planar?

Answer 1

$\sf{\underline {\large{CHEMICAL \:BONDING}}}$ :

Apart from planar geometry, the bond angle will be 90° which is less than bond angle in tetrahedral geometry( 109.5°). Therefore, repulsive forces between electron pairs will be more in square planar geometry and it will be less stable in comparison to tetrahedral geometry.