Determine the exact number of 3-center-2-electron () bonds present in one molecule of diborane (). β Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question
Question
Determine the exact number of 3-center-2-electron ($3c-2e$) bonds present in one molecule of diborane ($B_2H_6$).
Answer: 2
π‘ Solution & Explanation
In $B_2H_6$, there are four terminal $B-H$ bonds that are normal covalent bonds. The remaining two hydrogen atoms bridge the two boron atoms, creating two distinct $B-H-B$ electron-deficient "banana" bonds, where 2 electrons hold 3 nuclei together.
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