Use the principles of Sec. 1.3B to predict the geometry of BF₃. What hybridization of boron is suggested by this geometry? Draw an orbital diagram for hybridized boron similar to that for the carbons in ethylene shown in Fig. 4.3, and provide a hybrid orbital description of the bonding in BF₃.

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ENERGY 2p ↑ 2s ↑ 2px 2py ↑ 1s 2Pz atomic carbon: (1s)²(2s)²(2px) (2py) unaffected by hybridization mix 2s, 2px, and 2p, orbitals unaffected by hybridization 2pz 2(sp²) ↑ 1s # carbon in ethylene FIGURE 4.3 Orbitals of an sp²-hybridized carbon are derived conceptually by mixing one 2s orbital and hybrid two 2p orbitals, in this case orbitals the 2px and 2p, orbitals, shown in red. Three sp² hybrid orbitals are formed (red) and one 2p, orbital remains unhybridized (blue).