In diborane, the H-B-H bond angle is `120^(@)`. The hybridization of borons is likely to be

Options

A. `sp`
B. `sp^2`
C. `sp^3 `
D. `dsp^2`

Answer

C

Explanation

Each .B. atom in diborane `(B_2H_6)` is `sp^3` - hybridized of the four hybrid orbitals, three have one electron each, while the fourth is empty. Two orbitals of each B from `sigma` - bonds with two H–atoms, while one of the remaining hybrid orbitals (either filled or empty), 1s orbital of H–atom and one of the hybrid orbitals of other B atom overlap to form three centred two electron bond. So there exists two such type of three centred bond.