Which is the stronger bond in diborane, #B_2H_6#: the terminal #B-H# bond, or the bridging #mu_2-BH# bonds?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 13, 2017

You have a #"3-centre-2 electron bond"#.........

Explanation:

You have a #"3-centre-2 electron"# bond bridging the borane nuclei.........versus a #"2-centre-2 electron bond"# in the terminal #B-H# bonds. A priori, would we not expect the latter to be stronger? In #H_2B(mu_2-H)_2BH_2# the terminal hydride bonds are also shorter than the bridging bonds. Anyway, you are going have to find a text that reports the respective bond-strengths...as a physical scientist you are obliged to quote them.

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