- Home
- Standard 11
- Chemistry
p-Block Elements - I
medium
Describe the shapes of $BF $$_{3}$ and $BH _{4}^{-}$. Assign the hybridisation of boron in these species.
Option A
Option B
Option C
Option D
Solution
As a result of its small size and high electronegativity, boron tends to form monomeric covalent halides. These halides have a planar triangular geometry. This triangular shape is formed by the overlap of three $s p^{2}$ hybridised orbitals of boron with the $s p$ orbitals of three halogen atoms. Boron is $s p^{2}$ hybridised in $BF _{3}$. (figure)
$(ii)$ $B H _{4}^{-}$
Boron-hydride ion $(BH_4^-)$ is formed by the $s p^{3}$ hybridisation of boron orbitals. Therefore, it is tetrahedral in structure.(figure)
Standard 11
Chemistry
