Question

Do ionic compounds have molecular geometry?

Answer 1

No, but any polyatomic ions in them have a molecular geometry.

Explanation:

For example, nitrate ions `"NO"_3^"-"` have a trigonal planar geometry, and they retain that geometry in an ionic compound.

The ions in ionic compounds arrange themselves in characteristic repeating patterns called lattice structures.

The smallest possible repeating unit is called a unit cell.

Here is a diagram of a unit cell for `"LiNO"_3`.

We see the trigonal planar nitrate ions and the purple `"K"^"+"` ions arranged regularly in a unit cell.