Open Sextet
What is Open Sextet?
An open sextet describes the electronic configuration of certain atoms in molecules (particularly boron and aluminum compounds) that have only six electrons in the valence shell of the central atom rather than the usual eight (octet). Molecules with open sextets are electron-deficient Lewis acids and readily accept electron pairs from Lewis bases to complete their octet. Examples include boron trifluoride (BF₃) and aluminum chloride (AlCl₃), which react readily with electron donors such as ammonia and ether.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
An open sextet describes the electronic configuration of certain atoms in molecules (particularly boron and aluminum compounds) that have only six electrons in the valence shell of the central atom rather than the usual eight (octet). Molecules with open sextets are electron-deficient Lewis acids and readily accept electron pairs from Lewis bases to complete their octet. Examples include boron trifluoride (BF₃) and aluminum chloride (AlCl₃), which react readily with electron donors such as ammonia and ether.