Question

hybridization in BF3 for 5 marks

Answer 1

Boron has only three electrons in its outermost shell, i.e. 2 paired electrons in s orbital and one unpaired electron in a p orbital. The other two porbitals are empty. In order to form three sigma bonds, it needs three unpaired electrons in three similar orbitals. Therefore, one s electron gets unpaired and shifts to an empty p orbital. Now there are three unpaired electrons in one sorbital and two p orbitals. These undergo hybridisation to form three similar sp2 hybrid orbitals. The remaining empty p orbital stays unhybridised.