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The p-Block Elements
Question
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The tendency of BF3, BCl3 and BBr3 to behave as Lewis acid decreases in the sequence

  • BCl3 > BF3 > BBr3

  • BBr3 > BCl2 > BF3

  • BBr3 > BF3 > BCl3

  • BF3 > BCl3 > BBr3

Answer

B.

BBr3 > BCl2 > BF3

As the size of halogen atom increases, the acidic strength of boron halides increases. Thus, BF3 is the weakest Lewis acid. This is because of the pπ - pπ back bonding between the fully-filled unutilised 2p orbitals of F and vacant 2p orbitals of boron which makes BF3 less electron deficient. Such back donation is not possible in case of BCl3 or BBr3 due to the larger energy difference between their orbitals. Thus, these are more electron deficient. Since on moving are more electron deficient. Since on moving down the group the energy difference increases, Thus, the tendency to behave as Lewis acid follows the order
BBr3 > BCl3 > BF3

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