Describe the shapes of . Assign the hybridization of boron in these species.
(i) As a result of its small size and high electronegativity, boron tends to form monomeric covalent halides. These halides have a planar triangular geometry. This triangular shape is formed by the overlap of three hybridised orbitals of boron with the sp orbitals of three halogen atoms. Boron is sp2 hybridised in .
(ii) Boron-hydride ion () is formed by the hybridisation of boron orbitals. Therefore, it is a tetrahedral in structure.
