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VSEPR calculation for boron trifluoride, BF3

Boron trifluoride only has six valence electrons and is one of the relatively rare second period covalent molecules that disobeys the octet rule. There are three bonded groups and so no lone pairs. Six electrons implies three electron pairs and therefore a trigonal geometry.

Boron trifluoride, BF3
Lewis structure: BF3.gif
Central atom: boron
Valence electrons on central atom: 3
3 F each contribute 1 electron: 3
Total: 6
Divide by 2 to give electron pairs 3
3 electron pairs: trigonal geometry for the three shape-determining electron pairs
BF3
The geometry of boron trifluoride, BF3. You can use your mouse to manipulate the molecule in the right hand "Jmol" image.

A VSEPR tutorial on the WWW

VSEPR tutorial on the WWW, URL: http://winter.group.shef.ac.uk/vsepr/
Copyright 1996-2015 Prof Mark Winter [The University of Sheffield]. All rights reserved.
Document served: Tuesday 19th March, 2024