JEE Main · 2023 · Shift-IIeasyPB11-022

Boric acid is solid, whereas BF3 is gas at room temperature because of

p-Block Elements (Class 11) · Class 11 · JEE Main Previous Year Question

Question

Boric acid is solid, whereas BF3\mathrm{BF_3} is gas at room temperature because of

Options
  1. a

    Strong ionic bond in Boric acid

  2. b

    Strong van der Waals' interaction in Boric acid

  3. c

    Strong hydrogen bond in Boric acid

  4. d

    Strong covalent bond in BF3\mathrm{BF_3}

Correct Answerc

Strong hydrogen bond in Boric acid

Detailed Solution

Strategy: Explain why boric acid is a solid while BF₃ is a gas, by comparing intermolecular forces.

Step 1: Structure of Boric Acid \ceH3BO3\ce{H3BO3} has a layered structure. Each \ceB(OH)3\ce{B(OH)3} unit is planar, and the layers are held together by an extensive two-dimensional hydrogen bond network (O–H···O). These hydrogen bonds are strong, requiring significant energy to break, making \ceH3BO3\ce{H3BO3} a solid at room temperature (mp ≈ 170 °C).

Step 2: Structure of BF₃ \ceBF3\ce{BF3} is a covalent, trigonal planar molecule with no hydrogen bond donors/acceptors. The only intermolecular forces are weak van der Waals forces, making it a gas at room temperature (bp ≈ −100 °C).

Answer: (C) Strong hydrogen bonds in Boric acid\boxed{\text{Answer: (C) Strong hydrogen bonds in Boric acid}}

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Boric acid is solid, whereas BF3 is gas at room temperature because of (JEE Main 2023) | Canvas Classes