Question

Why the maximum covalency of boron is 4

Answer 1

Answer:

The maximum covalency of boron is 4 because only 4 orbitals are available for bonding. That is one s-orbital and three p-orbital.

Explanation:

The Atomic number of boron is 5

The electronic configuration of boron - $1s^{2} 2s^{2} 2p^{1}$  

The second shell contains one 2s orbital and three 2p orbitals. This is resulting four orbital in the second shell. Therefore maximum covalency of boron is 4.

Answer 2

Answer:

Boron has maximum covalency 4 since only 4 orbitals are available for bonding.

Explanation:

Covalency is defined as the maximum number of covalent bonds that an atom can form using its empty orbitals. The electronic configuration of Boron  is 1s², 2s², 2p¹ That is only two shells are available. The second shell has one 2s orbitals and three 2p orbitals so there are 4 orbitals in the second shell. The number of completely or half empty orbitals that are available for bonding is known as covalency. Therefore, covalency of boron is 4 .