Chemistry / Unit 6 Chem 0995 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Incomplete Octet
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The idea
An incomplete octet occurs when a stable Lewis structure leaves a central atom, typically beryllium or boron, with under eight electrons.
In practice
In BF3, boron forms three single bonds and holds no lone pair, stable with only six electrons around it.
Where people slip
An incomplete octet is a recognized outcome for a few light central atoms, not a sign the structure is wrong.
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