What are some examples of trigonal sp^2 hybrids?

1 Answer
Stefan V.
Jun 13, 2015

Examples of sp^2 trigonal planar molecules are BCl_3, BF_3, CH_2O, and CO_3^(2-).

Explanation:

In order for an atom to be sp^2 hybridized, its steric number, which tells you how many regions of electron density surround an atom, must be equal to 3.

Three regions of electron density -> three hybrid orbitals.

In order for a molecule to have a trigonal planar molecular geometry, its central atom must be bonded to three atoms and have no lone pairs of electrons present.

![http://study.com/academy/lesson/http://trigonal-planar-structure-examples.html](https://useruploads.socratic.org/Zs06xHpFTL67er2dhLhu_trigonalplanarpic3.png)

In other words, all the three regions of electron density that surround the atom must be bonds to other atoms.

Boron trifluoride, BF_3, and boron trichloride, BCl_3, are excellent examples of sp^2 trigonal planar molecular geometry.

In both cases, the central boron atom is bonded to three other atoms and has no lone pairs present.

![chemwiki.ucdavis.edu)

![https://dashboard.dublinschools.net/lessons/resources](https://d2jmvrsizmvf4x.cloudfront.net/WpTHforqTUKusx5pgVz6_images)

Other examples are formaldehyde, CH_2O

![elmhcx9.elmhurst.edu)

and the carbonate ion, CO_3^(2-)

![http://www.slideshare.net/dluetgens/vsepr](useruploads.socratic.org)

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