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Question
Explain Sp2 hybridization in BF3.
Solution
Consider boron trifluoride molecule. The valence shell electronic configuration of the boron atom is [He]2s2 2p1.
In the ground, state boron has only one unpaired electron in the valence shell. In order to form three covalent bonds with fluorine atoms, three unpaired electrons are required. To achieve this, one of the paired electrons in the 2s orbital is promoted to the 2py orbital in the excited state. In boron, the s orbital and two p orbitals (px and py) in the valence shell hybridises, to generate three equivalent sp2 orbitals as shown in the Figure. These three orbitals lie in the same xy plane and the angle between any two orbitals is equal to 120°.
Overlap with 2pz orbitals of fluorine:
The three sp2 hybridised orbitals of boron now overlap with the 2pz orbitals of fluorine (3 atoms). This overlap takes place along the axis as shown below.
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