Read this link and summarize. Pay particular attention to the formal charge discussion.
https://www.clutchprep.com/chemistry/practice-problems/5922/160-for-the-molecule-bf3-if-we-write-the-lewis-dot-structure-by-first-completing
in one sentence,explain why Bf3 with incomplete octet structure is the preferred structure?
2 answers
Boron has only 3 valence electrons.
=> B:[He]2s²2p¹ + 3F:[He]2s²3p²p²p¹
=> B:[He](sp²)¹(sp²)¹(sp²)¹ + 3F:[He]2(sp³)²(sp³)²(sp³)¹
=> BF₃:[He]2(σ∙σ∙σ)
=> Trigonal Planer Geometry with 3 covalent σ-bonds with θᵦ = 120⁰.
=> B:[He]2s²2p¹ + 3F:[He]2s²3p²p²p¹
=> B:[He](sp²)¹(sp²)¹(sp²)¹ + 3F:[He]2(sp³)²(sp³)²(sp³)¹
=> BF₃:[He]2(σ∙σ∙σ)
=> Trigonal Planer Geometry with 3 covalent σ-bonds with θᵦ = 120⁰.
2 answers