What are electron deficient compounds ? Are BCl_(3)" and "SiCl_(4) electron deficient species ? Explain.

What are electron deficient compounds ? Are BCl_(3)" and "SiCl_(4) ele

1.	What are electron deficient compounds ? Are BCl_(3)" and "SiCl_(4) electron deficient species ? Explain.
Answer» SOLUTION :The species in which the central atom possesses an incomplete octet (i.e., does not have 8 electrons in its VALENCE shell) are called electron DEFICIENT compounds. In `BCl_3`, the central BORON atom has only six electrons. Therefore, it is an electron deficient species. In `SiCl_4` the central silicon atom has eight electrons. Therefore, in accordance to the above definition, it is not an electron deficient species.