Suppose you carry out the following reaction of ammonia and boron trifluoride in the laboratory.

(a) What is the geometry of the boron atom in BF₃? In H₃N→BF₃?
(b) What is the hybridization of the boron atom in the two compounds?
(c) Considering the structures and bonding of NH₃ and BF₃, why do you expect the nitrogen on NH₃ to donate an electron pair to the B atom of BF₃?
(d) BF₃ also reacts readily with water. Based on the ammonia reaction above, speculate on how water can interact with BF₃.

Transcribed Image Text:

F H H-N: + B-F→→→→H-N→B-F H F H F HF