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CH1012
BORON CHEMISTRY
Boron Chemistry
Electronic configuration
& geometries.
5B has only 3 valence electrons (1s22s22p1) and so normally in its molecular compounds, boron will have three covalent bonds in a trigonal planar geometry.
5B has only 3 valence electrons (1s22s22p1) and so normally in its molecular compounds, boron will have three covalent bonds in a trigonal planar geometry.
• However, boron may also function as a Lewis acid (electron
pair acceptor) in which
case the molecules will have tetrahedral geometries.
case the molecules will have tetrahedral geometries.
eg.
BF3 forms 1:1 complexes with amines,
phosphines, ethers, sulphides:
(C2H5)2O:®BF3
phosphines, ethers, sulphides:
(C2H5)2O:®BF3