Question

Explain the structure & bonding of diborane
CB₂ Ho.​

Answer 1

Diborane is an electron deficient compound in which only 12 valence electrons are present. 2 B atoms and 4 terminal H atoms are co-planar whereas two bridging hydrogen are present in perpendicular plane. One bridging hydrogen is above the plane and other bridging H atom is below the plane. Terminal B-H bonds are 2c-2e bonds and bridging B-H-B bonds are 3c -2e bonds.

(b) Boric acid has layered structure. Planar BO

3

unit is linked to another unit through H atoms. The H atoms form covalent bond with BO

3

unit and hydrogen bond with other BO

3