Which of the following structural statements regarding the aluminum chloride dimer () are correct? — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

$Al_2Cl_6$ is formed via coordinate bonds from the terminal Cl atoms of one monomer into the vacant $3p$ orbital of the other Al atom. This gives each Al a steric number of 4 ($sp^3$, tetrahedral). Unlike diborane, the bridging bonds are standard 3-center-4-electron coordinate bonds, not electron-deficient. The molecule is non-planar.