What is the electronic configuration of the boron atom?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 12, 2017

You mean to refer to the atomic orbitals of boron.......

Explanation:

Boron, Z=5, has 3 electrons in its valence shell, i.e. its atomic configuration is 1s^(2)2s^(2)2p^(1). The 2s and 2p valence electrons are conceived to hybridize to give THREE sp^2 hybrid orbitals, and to a first approximation boron forms 3 covalent bonds, i.e. to give BH_3, or BX_3, or BR_3.

Of course this is to a first approximation. Boron is known to undergo electron-deficient bonding, with "3-centre, 2-electron bonds" between boron and hydrogen featured.

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