Question

In diborane, the banana bond is formed between:
A. 2 electrons. 3 atoms
B. 2 electrons. 1 atom
C. 1 electron. 2 atoms
D. 2 electrons. 2 atoms

Answer 1

Hint:\[{B_2}{H_6}\] is commonly known as Diborane. It is a colorless, pyrophoric gas with a repulsively sweet odor. It is also known as Bromoethane, boron hydride, and boron hexahydride. Banana Bonds are also known as Hydrogen Bridge Bonds.

Complete step by step answer:
The structure of \[{B_2}{H_6}\] the compound looks like the following:

From this image, we can see that:
Four hydrogen atoms are present at the terminal position, while
Two hydrogen atoms are present as a bridge between the two central boron atoms.
The length of the terminal \[B - H\] bond is relatively small as compared to the bridge \[B - H\] bond. This indicates that the terminal \[B - H\] bonds are relatively weaker as compared to the bridge \[B - H\] bonds.
After using 2 electrons to bond with the terminal hydrogen atoms, the boron atom is left with one additional electron left for bonding. The bridging hydrogen atoms are then offering one electron each. The \[{B_2}{H_2}\] ring is held together by four electrons which are forming two 3-center 2-electron bonds. This type of bond is often referred to as a 'banana bond'.
Banana Bonds are otherwise known as Hydrogen Bridge Bonds. Hence, the two types of bonds present in \[{B_2}{H_6}\] are covalent and hydrogen bridge bonds.

So, the correct answer is A.

Note:
According to the Molecular Orbital Theory, the bonds between the Boron atoms and the terminal hydrogen atoms can be described as conventional 2-center, 2-electron covalent bonds. The bonding between the boron atoms and the bridging hydrogen atoms is, however, different from that in molecules such as hydrocarbons.