How is the angle of BF3 120 degrees?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the bond angles in boron trifluoride (BF3), specifically questioning why the bond angle is 120 degrees despite the presence of back bonding (BB). Participants explore the implications of hybridization and the trigonal planar structure of BF3.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the presence of back bonding might imply that the bond angle should be greater than 120 degrees.
  • Others reference external sources to support their understanding of the bond angles in BF3.
  • One participant notes that BF3 has a trigonal planar structure by hybridization, predicting a bond angle of 120 degrees, but questions why back bonding does not lead to an increase in this angle.
  • There is a discussion about whether an increase in bond angles is possible for all three bonds in BF3.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the implications of back bonding on bond angles, indicating a lack of clarity on how it affects the structure.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether back bonding should increase the bond angle in BF3, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific effects of back bonding on the bond angles.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the extent to which back bonding influences bond angles, and there are unresolved questions about the nature of bond angle changes in the context of BF3's structure.

prakhargupta3301
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Since it shows back bonding, shouldn't it be a little more than that?
 
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jim mcnamara said:
Does this help?
https://www.quora.com/Why-the-bond-angle-of-BF3-is-greater-than-NF3
Thanks but I've already been there.
My query was that BF3 already has trigonal planar structure by hybridization. And the predicted bond angle is 120 deg.
But, we know that it shows BB too. So why doesn't it increases the bond angle?
 
Which bond angle? all three? Is that possible?
 
prakhargupta3301 said:
So why doesn't it increases the bond angle?
What number would it increase to?

Edit: ninja'd by mjc123
 
TeethWhitener said:
What number would it increase to?
mjc123 said:
Which bond angle? all three? Is that possible?

Edit: ninja'd by mjc123
Um. I don't know.
Perhaps that answered my question. An increase in all three is just impossible. Perhaps I was only playing around with the idea of BB with just one F but it's with all three. Is that what you mean?
 
prakhargupta3301 said:
An increase in all three is just impossible.
prakhargupta3301 said:
Is that what you mean?
Yes (I can't speak for mjc, but that's what I was thinking)
 
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TeethWhitener said:
Yes (I can't speak for mjc, but that's what I was thinking)
Okay thanks for helping me!
 

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