Question

The $BCl_3$ is a planar molecule whereas $NCl_3$ is pyramidal because

• A. $B - Cl$ bond is more polar than $N - Cl$ bond
• B. $N - Cl$ bond is more covalent than $B - Cl$ bond
• C. nitrogen atom is smaller than boron atom
• D. $BCl_3$ has no lone pair but $NCl_3$ has a lone pair of electrons

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

$BCl_3$ has no lone pair but $NCl_3$ has a lone pair of electrons

Answer 2

$BCl_3$ have $sp^ 2$ hybridisation and no lone pair of electron on central atom but $NCl_3$ have $sp^3$ hybridisation and also contains one lone pair of electron on nitrogen, so $BCl_3$ is planar.