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The tellurite ion Lewis structure is Te–O single bond, Te–O double bond and Te–O single bond; the central Te has 4 electron domains (1 lone pair), giving a tetrahedral electron-domain arrangement and a trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry with a ≈107° bond angle. Te is best described as sp3-hybridized, and tellurite ion is polar because the trigonal pyramidal shape (and/or unequal terminal atoms) prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles.
Figure 1: Lewis Structure of tellurite ion (O3Te-2)
| Chemical Formula | O3Te-2 |
| CAS Number | 13451-80-6 |
| Net Charge | -2 |
| Total Valence Electrons | 26 |
| Lewis Structure | Te–O single bond, Te–O double bond and Te–O single bond |
| Electron-Domain Geometry | tetrahedral |
| Molecular Geometry | trigonal pyramidal |
| Hybridization Model | sp3 (central Te) |
| Bond Angle | ≈107° |
| Polarity | Polar molecule |
In aqueous and process chemistry, O3Te-2 exists as the anion tellurite ion ion. It is encountered as a counterion and a controlled source of Te in salts, buffers, electrochemistry and analytical protocols, and as a reactant in syntheses that require a defined equivalent of Te-containing material.
To draw the tellurite ion Lewis structure we first count the total valence electrons. O3Te-2 contains 3×6 (O) + 6 (Te) − 2 (net anion); the net charge of -2 gives a total of 26 valence electrons to place.
The central atom is Te. It is the least electronegative atom capable of forming multiple bonds and is surrounded by the more electronegative terminal atom(s); hydrogen, when present, always occupies a terminal position. Electronegativity considerations place the electron density toward the terminal atom(s).
Total valence electrons = 3×6 (O) + 6 (Te) − 2 (net anion) = 26 electrons.
Place Te at the center and connect each surrounding atom with a single bond, complete octets on the terminal atoms, and place any remaining electrons on the central atom. The resulting electron distribution is: Te–O single bond, Te–O double bond and Te–O single bond; one lone pair on Te.
Counting bonding and nonbonding electrons around Te therefore satisfies the octet/expanded-octet requirement for the drawn structure.
This species is best represented by resonance structures; the π bonding is delocalized over the equivalent terminal atom(s), so all Te–terminals bonds are equivalent in the resonance hybrid.
VSEPR theory states that the 4 electron domains around Te arrange to minimize mutual repulsion, giving an tetrahedral electron-domain geometry.
Because 1 of these domains are lone pair(s) — and lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs — the observed molecular geometry is trigonal pyramidal; the Te bond angle is set to ≈107° rather than the ideal value for the electron-domain geometry.
A useful VSEPR approximation is: lone pair–lone pair repulsion > lone pair–bonding pair repulsion > bonding pair–bonding pair repulsion. With 1 lone pair(s) on Te, the lone-pair domains occupy positions that minimize overall repulsion while pushing the bonding domains (and therefore the bonded atoms) closer together.
In the conventional localized-bond model, Te uses sp3 hybrid orbitals to form the 4 equivalent electron-domain directions (3 bonding + 1 lone pair).
Formal charge on central Te = V − N − ½B = 6 − 2 − ½×8 = 0. The preferred Lewis structure carries zero formal charge on the central atom (and on the terminals), so it is the dominant contributor.
tellurite ion is polar. The trigonal pyramidal shape prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles. The bond dipoles do not cancel, leaving a net molecular dipole, which strongly influences solvation behavior and intermolecular interactions.
The decisive structural fact is not simply that the individual bonds are polar; it is whether molecular symmetry allows their vector sum to vanish. In tellurite ion the trigonal pyramidal arrangement prevents cancellation, so a permanent dipole remains.
Interpretation consistent with standard VSEPR / molecular-geometry references.This polarity profile underpins its behavior as a solvent, reactant or process intermediate; when sourcing, specify grade and container compatibility.
| Species | Formula | Central Atom | Electron Domains | Molecular Geometry | Polarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| tellurite ion | O3Te-2 | Te | 4 | trigonal pyramidal | Polar |
| Carbon dioxide | CO2 | C | 2 | linear | Nonpolar |
| Carbon monoxide | CO | C | 2 | linear (diatomic) | Polar |
| Carbon disulfide | CS2 | C | 2 | linear | Nonpolar |
tellurite ion is polar. Its trigonal pyramidal geometry (and/or unequal terminal atoms) stops the bond dipoles from cancelling.
Te–O single bond, Te–O double bond and Te–O single bond; one lone pair on Te. It uses all 26 valence electrons and the preferred structure carries zero formal charge on the central atom.
The Te angle is about ≈107°. Lone-pair repulsion compresses the angle from the ideal tetrahedral value.
The conventional model is sp3. tellurite ion has 4 electron domains around the central Te.
The CAS number is 13451-80-6. PubChem (CID 115037) and NIST identify this with O3Te-2; use it to locate suppliers and database records.
Technical scope: Lewis structures, VSEPR and hybridization are model-based descriptions for chemical communication and structure prediction; actual molecular electronic structure is more accurately represented by molecular-orbital and quantum-chemical methods. Commercial grades vary substantially by supplier and intended use; CAS 13451-80-6 identifies the substance, not a universal purity specification.
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