For a trigonal bipyramidal geometry, what are the bond angles between the equatorial positions?

In a trigonal bipyramidal geometry, which occurs in molecular structures with five bonding pairs of electrons, the bond angles between the equatorial positions are specifically 120 degrees.

In this geometry, the five positions consist of three equatorial positions that lie in a plane around the central atom, and two axial positions that lie above and below this plane. The equatorial bonds are positioned such that they maximize their distance from one another, which minimizes electron pair repulsions according to VSEPR theory (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory). This results in a perfect angle of 120 degrees between any two equatorial bonds.

The axial bonds, on the other hand, are positioned at 90 degrees to the equatorial plane. Understanding this arrangement is crucial, as it influences the overall shape and reactivity of the molecule. The 120-degree angle is characteristic of their spatial configuration, setting it apart from other molecular geometries.