Question

Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding diborane?

• A. It has only two bridging hydrogens
• B. When methylated, the product formed is $M{e}_4{B}_2{H}_2$
• C. The bridging hydrogen atoms are in a plane perpendicular to the other ones
• D. All the B-H bonds are of equal lengths

Answer 1

The correct option is D All the B-H bonds are of equal lengths

The lengths of the $B-H_{bridge}$ bonds and the $B-H_{terminal}$ bonds are $1.33\stackrel{\circ }{A}$ and $1.19\stackrel{\circ }{A}$ respectively. This difference in length of these bonds reflect the difference in their strengths, the B-H bridge bonds being relatively weaker.