2022 The p-Block Elements (Group 13 and 14)Boron Family – Diborane Medium Question 5 of 9 in The p-Block Elements (Group 13 and 14)

Which of the following statement is not correct about diborane?

A Both the Boron atoms are $sp^2$ hybridised.
B There are two 3-centre-2-electron bonds.
C The four terminal B-H bonds are two centre two electron bonds
D The four terminal Hydrogen atoms and the two Boron atoms lie in one plane

The answer is A.

Solution

In diborane, each B atom is $sp^3$ hybridised (not $sp^2$). The four terminal B–H bonds are 2c-2e bonds, there are two 3c-2e (banana) bonds, and the four terminal H atoms and two B atoms lie in one plane. So 'Both the boron atoms are $sp^2$ hybridised' is not correct.

Concept structure of diborane

The p-Block Elements (Group 13 and 14) in past papers

9 questions from this chapter have appeared across 4 exam years.