Chapter 8.4, Problem 56PP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The molecular shape, bond angle, and hybrid orbital’s for ${\text{BF}}_{\text{3}}$ molecule needs to be determined.

Concept introduction: When mixing of orbitals takes place, hybrid orbitals are formed having characteristics of all the orbitals involved in the mixing. Dissimilar atomic orbitals undergo hybridization during chemical bonding.

Answer to Problem 56PP

  ${\text{BF}}_{\text{3}}$ molecule is trigonal planar, a bond angle is $120°$ and hybridization is ${\text{sp}}^{\text{2}}$ .

Explanation of Solution

Structure for ${\text{BF}}_{\text{3}}$ molecule is as follows:

  

The geometry of ${\text{BF}}_{\text{3}}$ molecule is a trigonal planar. Thus, the bond angle is $120°$ . ${\text{BF}}_{\text{3}}$ has ${\text{sp}}^{\text{2}}$ hybrid orbitals. Three bonds of ${\text{BF}}_{\text{3}}$ molecule are made with ${\text{sp}}^{\text{2}}$ orbitals. Thus, it has three bond pairs.

Conclusion

The shape of a molecule concludes its physical and chemical properties. The angle between three atoms with least two bonds is termed as a bond angle.