Final answer:
Norepinephrine has various electron-pair geometries and molecular shapes within its structure, with each central atom adopting a shape that minimizes electron repulsion according to VSEPR theory. For example, the nitrogen in the amine group typically shows a tetrahedral electron-pair geometry and a trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The electron-pair geometry and molecular geometry of norepinephrine are determined by the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory. Norepinephrine is a complex organic molecule with multiple atoms and various functional groups, and each central atom within the molecule can have a different electron-pair geometry and molecular shape.
However, if we take the nitrogen atom in the amine group of norepinephrine as an example, it typically has three bonded pairs and one lone pair of electrons, resulting in an electron-pair geometry that is tetrahedral. However, due to the presence of the lone pair, the molecular geometry around the nitrogen will be trigonal pyramidal.
Norepinephrine's molecule has its shape due to electron repulsion, where electron pairs around a central atom adjust their positions to be as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion. This basic premise is what VSEPR theory is all about. For more complex organic molecules like norepinephrine, predicting the exact shape requires analyzing the electron-pair geometries and molecular geometries of each functional group within the molecule.