Question

Boron form covalent compound due to

• A. Higher ionization energy
• B. Lower ionization energy
• C. Small size
• D. Both (a) and (c)

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Both (a) and (c)

With the electronic configuration of $1s^2,2s^2,2p^1$, there are just two electrons at the most
to shield the outermost valence electrons (n = 2) from the nucleus; Hence, ionization to $B^{3+}$
for a small boron atom is extremely difficult and prohibitively high.