The molecular geometry of CH3OH, commonly known as methanol, is determined by the arrangement of its atoms and the bonds connecting them. CH3OH consists of one carbon atom (C), three hydrogen atoms (H), and one hydroxyl group (OH).
To analyze its molecular geometry, we first note that the carbon atom is central to the molecule, bonded to three hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, which is part of the hydroxyl group. This gives CH3OH a tetrahedral arrangement around the carbon. However, we must also consider the presence of the lone pair on the oxygen atom.
Although the overall shape is influenced by the tetrahedral arrangement, the molecular geometry ultimately takes on a bent shape due to the repulsion between the lone pair of electrons on the oxygen and the hydrogen atoms. Therefore, methanol has a molecular geometry that can be described as tetrahedral around the carbon, while the overall molecular shape due to the functional group deviation appears bent.
In summary, CH3OH exhibits a tetrahedral molecular geometry due to its four bonding pairs, while the presence of the hydroxyl group creates a bent shape in a broader context.