Question

Why do boron halides form addition compounds with ammonia?

Answer 1

it is because of its lone pairs and boron halides are electron deficient so they form conjugate bonds

Answer 2

Hey dear,

● Why boron halides form addition compounds with amines -
- Boron halides are electron deficient (due to vacant p-orbital) making them lewis acid. e.g. BF3
- Amines have extra lone pair of electrons on central N-atom which makes them lewis bases. e.g. C2H5NH2
- Therefore, boron halides (lewis acid) and amines (lewis base) react together to form addition product with co-ordinate bond.
BF3 + C2H5-NH2 ---> C2H5NH2---BF3

Hope this helps you...