Chemical Forums
Chemistry Forums for Students => Inorganic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: fran008 on January 24, 2006, 04:28:13 PM
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Can someone help explain the bonding in the compound NH3BF3
Is B ionically boded to F? I mean the difference in electronegativity is big enough to consider it ionic, but then again, using Fajan's rules, B3+ is a small cation favouring some covalent character. Could it b possible that NH3 binds to N Covalently by a coordinate bond and bond to F ionically?
Any help greatly appreciated!
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You wouldn't expect ionic bonding between non-metals.
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The bonding in NH3BF3 is primarily covalent in nature. The bond between the nitrogen and boron in this compound is a special type of covalent bond commonly known as a coordinate covalent bond or dative bond due to the fact that both electrons in the bond are coming from one of the molecules (the nitrogen). This molecule is, in fact, a prime example of a Lewis acid-base reaction, where the NH3 is acting as a Lewis base, donating a pair of electrons to the BF3, which in turn accepts the electrons, acting as a Lewis acid.
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what plu said.