Why does B(CH3)3 violate the octet rule?

1 Answer
Ernest Z.
May 14, 2015

"B(CH"_3)_3B(CH3)3 violates the octet rule because the "B"B atom has only six valence electrons in its valence shell.

The octet rule is a chemical rule of thumb that states that atoms of main-group elements combine in such a way that each atom will have eight electrons in its valence shell.

The Lewis structure of "B(CH"_3")"_3B(CH3)3 is

upload.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.org

We see that the molecule has only six valence electrons around the "B"B atom.

This is a violation of the octet rule.

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