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.

Related questions
See all questions in Electron Configuration
Impact of this question
20248 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License