What is the bond angle Cl-B-Cl and molecular geometry of BCl ₃ molecule?

Step-by-step solution

The central atom in BCl ₃ is Boron (B). The number of valence electrons in Boron is 3 . It forms 3 single bonds with 3 Chlorine atoms. Number of bond pairs = 3 Number of lone pairs = 0 Steric number = Bond pairs + Lone pairs = 3 + 0 = 3 A steric number of 3 corresponds to sp^2 hybridization. Since there are no lone pairs on the central atom, the molecular geometry is trigonal planar. The bond angle for a regular trigonal planar geometry is 120^ . Answer: 120^ and trigonal planar