
Why is square planar, whereas is tetrahedral?
Answer
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Hint: The geometry of square planar molecules describes the stereochemistry adopted by chemical compounds. The d-orbital splitting diagram for square planar transition metal complexes is derived from the general octahedral splitting diagram.
Complete answer:
In this question, bromine has valence electrons in its ground state electronic configuration whereas boron has only valence electrons in its ground state electronic configuration as given below:
For ,
For ,
In these electronic configurations, we can see that the valence shell of bromine contains electrons, from the subshell and in the subshell.
In the first case when is the central atom bonded with four atoms, the four of the seven electrons of bromine form a bond with atom. Here this shows that three electrons do not take part in bond formation. As there is a negative charge in the compound this indicates the additional electrons which will be paired with one of the three lone electrons.
Here you can see that four will align in a square plane and the lone pairs are on either side of the plane.
In the case of , boron only has three valence electrons, so three will bond with boron and the fourth will occupy the open orbital of . Here the extra electron shown in red is not present in the ground state configurations that provide the negative charge.
Thus, by these diagrams it is clear that has square planar and has a tetrahedral shape.
Note:
In square planar, the constituent atoms surround the central atom which form the corners of a square on the same plane. Whereas in the tetrahedral, on the centre of the four substituents, there the central atom forming the corners of the tetrahedron.
Complete answer:
In this question, bromine has
For
For
In these electronic configurations, we can see that the valence shell of bromine contains
In the first case when

Here you can see that four
In the case of

Thus, by these diagrams it is clear that
Note:
In square planar, the constituent atoms surround the central atom which form the corners of a square on the same plane. Whereas in the tetrahedral, on the centre of the four substituents, there the central atom forming the corners of the tetrahedron.
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