Chemistry / Unit 12 Chem 2308 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Boron's Electron Deficiency Drives Lewis Acidity
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The idea
Boron has one fewer valence electron than it has valence orbitals, so its compounds often accept an electron pair from a Lewis base to complete boron's octet.
In practice
Boron trifluoride accepts a fluoride ion's lone pair to form the tetrafluoroborate ion, BF4−.
Where people slip
Boron's electron deficiency is a structural fact about its orbitals, not a sign that its compounds are unstable or short-lived.
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