Question

The crystalline form of borax has

• A. Tetranuclear $\left[B_4{O}_5\right(OH{)}_4{]}^{2-}$
• B. All boron atoms in the same plane
• C. Equal number of $s{p}^2$ and $s{p}^3$ hybridized boron atoms
• D. One terminal hydroxide per boron atom

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (C), (D)

One terminal hydroxide per boron atom

Let us take a look at the structure:

Clearly, it contains if tetranuclear $\left[B_4{O}_5\right(OH{)}_4{]}^{2-}$.

And there are equal number of $s{p}^2$ and $s{p}^3$ hybridized boron atoms

One terminal hydroxide per boron atom