What is the Difference Between Ammonia and Boron Trifluoride?

The key difference between ammonia (NH3) and boron trifluoride (BF3) lies in their polarity. Ammonia is a polar molecule, while boron trifluoride is a nonpolar molecule. This difference in polarity is due to the presence of a lone electron pair on the nitrogen atom in the ammonia molecule, which results in an unsymmetrical structure. In contrast, boron trifluoride has a symmetrical triangular planar shape with no lone pairs, making it a nonpolar molecule.

Some other differences between ammonia and boron trifluoride include:

• Chemical Formula: Ammonia has the chemical formula NH3, while boron trifluoride has the chemical formula BF3.
• Molecular Shape: Ammonia has a pyramidal shape, whereas boron trifluoride is triangular planar.
• Bonding: The reaction between ammonia and boron trifluoride results in the formation of a hydrogen bond.

In summary, ammonia and boron trifluoride are both 4-atom molecules with a central atom bonded to three other atoms, but they differ in polarity, molecular shape, and the type of bond formed between them.

Comparative Table: Ammonia vs Boron Trifluoride

The main difference between ammonia (NH3) and boron trifluoride (BF3) lies in their polarity and structure. Here is a comparison table highlighting their differences:

• Polarity: Ammonia is a polar molecule due to the presence of a lone electron pair, which affects the molecule's overall charge distribution. On the other hand, boron trifluoride is a nonpolar molecule because it has a symmetrical triangular planar shape, and the bond dipoles cancel each other out.

• Structure: Ammonia has a trigonal pyramidal structure, with a central nitrogen atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms and a lone electron pair. Boron trifluoride has a trigonal planar structure, with a central boron atom bonded to three fluorine atoms.

• Shape: Ammonia has an unsymmetrical shape due to the lone electron pair, while boron trifluoride has a symmetrical, triangular shape.

• Bonding: Both ammonia and boron trifluoride have covalent bonding, where electrons are shared between atoms.