Hydrogen telluride Lewis Structure

Hydrogen telluride Lewis Structure: H₂Te Lewis Structure, bent Geometry, sp3 Hybridization & Polarity

Hydrogen telluride Key Facts

The Hydrogen telluride Lewis structure is 2 Te–H single bond; the central Te has 4 electron domains (2 lone pairs), giving a tetrahedral electron-domain arrangement and a bent molecular geometry with a ≈104.5° bond angle. Te is best described as sp3-hybridized, and Hydrogen telluride is polar because the bent shape (and/or unequal terminal atoms) prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles.

Figure 1: Lewis Structure of Hydrogen telluride (H₂Te)

Chemical Formula	H₂Te
CAS Number	7783-09-7
Total Valence Electrons	8
Lewis Structure	2 Te–H single bond
Electron-Domain Geometry	tetrahedral
Molecular Geometry	bent
Hybridization Model	sp3 (central Te)
Bond Angle	≈104.5°
Polarity	Polar molecule

PubChem (CID 21765) and NIST list Hydrogen telluride as H ₂Te with CAS 7783-09-7; molecular weight ≈ 129.6 g/mol. View CAS 7783-09-7 dictionary details on Guidechem →

Applications of Hydrogen telluride (CAS 7783-09-7)

Hydrogen telluride is encountered as a reagent, intermediate or specialty chemical in inorganic, organometallic and materials synthesis. Confirm grade, purity and supplier documentation (SDS) before specifying for a process.

Reagent / Intermediate Used in synthesis and formulation where the substance's reactivity is required.

Specialty Chemical Specified by grade for the intended process or research use.

Sourcing Verify purity, package and regional availability via the CAS identifier.

Procurement Note "Hydrogen telluride" is supplied in multiple commercial grades and package sizes. Specify purity, grade, moisture/impurity limits, package (cylinder, drum or bulk) and intended process, and use CAS 7783-09-7 as the primary identifier when screening suppliers; always confirm regional availability and safety documentation (SDS).

Step 1 - Valence Electrons & Central Atom

To draw the Hydrogen telluride Lewis structure we first count the total valence electrons. H₂Te contains 2×1 (H) + 6 (Te); the net charge of 0 gives a total of 8 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).

Valence-electron count

Total valence electrons = 2×1 (H) + 6 (Te) = 8 electrons.

Step 2 - Lewis Structure & Electron Distribution

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: 2 Te–H single bond; 2 lone pairs on Te.

Counting bonding and nonbonding electrons around Te therefore satisfies the octet/expanded-octet requirement for the drawn structure.

Te–H ×2

Te: 2 lone pairs, 2 bonding domains

2 bonding domains + 2 lone pairs = 4 electron domains

Octet Rule: Why Te Has Eight Electrons Te forms 2 bond(s) and retains 4 nonbonding electron(s), reaching an octet. No expanded octet is required for this second-row (or octet-satisfying) central atom.

Step 3 - VSEPR Theory & Geometry

VSEPR theory states that the 4 electron domains around Te arrange to minimize mutual repulsion, giving an tetrahedral electron-domain geometry.

Because 2 of these domains are lone pair(s) — and lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs — the observed molecular geometry is bent; the Te bond angle is set to ≈104.5° rather than the ideal value for the electron-domain geometry.

Repulsion hierarchy

A useful VSEPR approximation is: lone pair–lone pair repulsion > lone pair–bonding pair repulsion > bonding pair–bonding pair repulsion. With 2 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.

Hybridization & Formal Charge

In the conventional localized-bond model, Te uses sp3 hybrid orbitals to form the 4 equivalent electron-domain directions (2 bonding + 2 lone pair).

Formal-charge check

Formal charge on central Te = V − N − ½B = 6 − 4 − ½×4 = 2. The nonzero formal charge is distributed by resonance / charge separation; the drawn structure is the lowest-energy contributor.

Modeling Note Modeling Note: sp3 is a compact model for the 4 electron-domain directions around Te; full quantum-chemical treatments use molecular orbitals.

Is Hydrogen telluride Polar or Nonpolar?

Hydrogen telluride is polar. The bent 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.

Expert Quote — Structural Chemistry Perspective

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 Hydrogen telluride the bent 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.

Structural Comparison Table

Species	Formula	Central Atom	Electron Domains	Molecular Geometry	Polarity
Hydrogen telluride	H₂Te	Te	4	bent	Polar
Carbon dioxide	CO₂	C	2	linear	Nonpolar
Carbon monoxide	CO	C	2	linear (diatomic)	Polar
Carbon disulfide	CS₂	C	2	linear	Nonpolar

Practice question Starting from the 8 valence electrons of H₂Te, draw the Lewis structure and confirm the central Te atom is sp3-hybridized with bent geometry. What happens to the bond angle if one terminal atom is replaced by a more electronegative substituent?

Looking for industrial bulk or specified-grade supplies of Hydrogen telluride (CAS 7783-09-7)? Browse Supplier on Guidechem →

FAQs

Is H₂Te polar or nonpolar?

Hydrogen telluride is polar. Its bent geometry (and/or unequal terminal atoms) stops the bond dipoles from cancelling.

What is the Lewis structure of Hydrogen telluride?

2 Te–H single bond; 2 lone pairs on Te. It uses all 8 valence electrons and the preferred structure carries a formal charge of 2 on the central atom.

What is the bond angle in Hydrogen telluride?

The Te angle is about ≈104.5°. Lone-pair repulsion compresses the angle from the ideal tetrahedral value.

What is the hybridization of Te in Hydrogen telluride?

The conventional model is sp3. Hydrogen telluride has 4 electron domains around the central Te.

What is the CAS number of Hydrogen telluride?

The CAS number is 7783-09-7. PubChem (CID 21765) and NIST identify this with H₂Te; use it to locate suppliers and database records.

References

PubChem CID 21765, Hydrogen telluride. Molecular formula, CAS number, molecular weight and chemical identity.
NIST Chemistry WebBook, SRD 69, Hydrogen telluride. Formula, CAS Registry Number and thermochemical / spectroscopic data.
IUPAC Gold Book. Definitions for "lone pair", "VSEPR", "hybridization" and "formal charge".
Atkins, P. & de Paula, J., Physical Chemistry. VSEPR, molecular geometry and dipole moments.
Guidechem supplier & dictionary records. Commercial sourcing and CAS-linked property pages for Hydrogen telluride (CAS 7783-09-7).

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 7783-09-7 identifies the substance, not a universal purity specification.

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Hydrogen telluride Lewis Structure