Question:medium

The structures of \(BCl_3\) and \(BCl_3 \cdot NH_3\), respectively are

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\(BCl_3\) is electron deficient and has \(sp^2\) hybridization with trigonal planar geometry. When it accepts a lone pair from \(NH_3\), boron completes its octet and becomes \(sp^3\) hybridized with tetrahedral geometry.
Updated On: Jul 18, 2026
  • Planar trigonal and Tetrahedral
  • Planar trigonal and Pyramidal
  • Pyramidal and Tetrahedral
  • Pyramidal and Pyramidal
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Boron in $BCl_3$ has only three bonding pairs and no lone pair around it, since boron contributes just three valence electrons to form three B-Cl bonds. With three electron domains and nothing else, VSEPR predicts $sp^2$ hybridisation and a flat, trigonal planar shape with 120 degree bond angles.

Because boron has an empty p orbital in this arrangement, $BCl_3$ is electron deficient and readily accepts a lone pair, making it a good Lewis acid. Ammonia, on the other hand, carries a lone pair on nitrogen and is a Lewis base, so the two combine through a coordinate bond, nitrogen donating its lone pair into boron's empty orbital.

Once that coordinate bond forms, boron is surrounded by four bonding pairs, the three original B-Cl bonds plus the new B to N bond, with no lone pair of its own. Four electron domains around a central atom means $sp^3$ hybridisation, which gives a tetrahedral shape.

So $BCl_3$ is trigonal planar and $BCl_3\cdot NH_3$ is tetrahedral, matching option (1).

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