Question

Read the following and select one the correct answer.

Statement I: Boron always forms covalent bond

Statement II: The small size of $B^{3+}$ favours formation of covalent bond

• A. Statement I and Statement II are both correct. Statement II correctly explains Statement I
• B. Statement I and Statement II are both correct. Statement II does not explain Statement I
• C. Statement II is correct and Statement I is wrong
• D. Statement I is correct and Statement II is wrong

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Statement I and Statement II are both correct. Statement II correctly explains Statement I

Statement I is accurate and it is a peculiar aspect of Boron. In fact – it always forms covalent bonds! This is correctly explained by the accurate Statement II.

The small size of $B^{3+}$ implies that the charge density is rather high. This makes the cation strongly polarizing and thus favours the formation of covalent bonds. Hence,

Statement I and Statement II are both correct. Statement II correctly explains Statement I