When BCl3 is treated with water, it hydrolyses and forms [B[OH]4]- only whereas AlCl3 in acidified aqueous solution forms [Al (H2O)6]3+ ion. Explain what is the hybridisation of boron and aluminium in these species?

contexto.130

3 years ago

AlCl₃ + 6H₂O → [Al(H₂O)₆]³⁺ + 3Cl^–

The 6 H2O molecules bind to Al, donating 6 electron pairs to the Al3+ ion’s 3s, 3p, and 3d orbitals.

As a result, the Al atom hybridization in [Al(H2O)6]3+ species is sp3d2.