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

Explanation

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.