How many of the following species contain 3c-4e type of bridge bonding?
Si₂Cl₆, Al₂Cl₆, B₂H₆, BeH₂(s), C₂Cl₆, Fe₂Cl₆, Hg₂Cl₂, Si₂H₆

Question

How many of the following species contain 3c-4e type of bridge bonding? Si₂Cl₆, Al₂Cl₆, B₂H₆, BeH₂(s), C₂Cl₆, Fe₂Cl₆, Hg₂Cl₂, Si₂H₆

TestHub · Accepted Answer

The species containing 3-center 4-electron (3c-4e) bridge bonding are Al₂Cl₆ and Fe₂Cl₆. In these dimers, chlorine atoms act as bridges by donating a lone pair to the vacant orbital of the adjacent metal atom, resulting in 4 electrons shared across 3 nuclei.

Al₂Cl₆ and Fe₂Cl₆: Contain two 3c-4e bridge bonds each.

B₂H₆ and BeH₂(s): Contain 3c-2e (electron-deficient) bridge bonds.

Si₂Cl₆, C₂Cl₆, Hg₂Cl₂, and Si₂H₆: These molecules feature direct single bonds ( $S i - S i$ , $C - C$ , or $H g - H g$ ) and standard terminal bonds with no bridging.

Thus, the total count is 2.

Chemistry - CHEMICAL BONDING Question with Solution | TestHub

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