Question

Reactivity of borazole is greater than that of benzene because (a) It has localized electron in it. (b) Borazole is electron deficient compound (c) Borazole is polar compound (d) Borazole is non-polar compound

Short answer

Borazole is more reactive because it is an electron-deficient compound (option b).

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Borazole and Benzene

Borazole, also known as borazine, is often compared to benzene due to its similar ring structure. However, the key difference lies in the presence of alternating nitrogen and boron atoms in borazole, replacing the carbon atoms in benzene. This structural difference affects their electronic properties.

Evaluating Electronic Deficiency

Benzene is known for its stable, delocalized -electron cloud which makes it less reactive. In contrast, borazole possesses a deficiency of electrons due to the boron atoms, which are electron-deficient compared to carbon.

Analyzing Polarity

Borazole is a polar compound because of the electronegativity difference between boron and nitrogen, causing an uneven distribution of electron density. This polarity contributes to increased reactivity compared to non-polar benzene.

Comparing Reactivity

The electron deficiency and polarity in borazole make it more reactive than benzene. The electron-deficient boron atoms tend to seek electron density from other molecules, thus increasing the reactivity of borazole.

Selecting the Correct Reason

Based on the analysis, the correct reason for borazole's greater reactivity compared to benzene is that borazole is electron-deficient. Therefore, option (b) 'Borazole is an electron-deficient compound' explains the increased reactivity properly.

Key concepts

Electron Deficiency in Borazole

Electron deficiency is a condition in molecules where there are not enough electrons to complete stable electron configurations, making them more reactive.When comparing borazole and benzene, one of the key differences is electron deficiency.
In benzene, each carbon atom contributes one electron to a shared cloud, creating a stable, delocalized \( \pi \) electron system.This is why benzene is less reactive and quite stable.
On the other hand, borazole contains boron and nitrogen atoms in place of carbon.Boron typically has fewer electrons in its outer shell, leading to electron deficiency.This makes borazole more willing to interact with other molecules to attain electron pairing, increasing its reactivity.
The electron deficiency in borazole is mainly due to boron's lesser electronegativity and its ability to accept more electrons, pushing it towards seeking interactions to fill this electron gap.

Polarity of Compounds

Understanding the polarity of compounds involves looking at how electrons are distributed within a molecule. Polarity affects properties like solubility, boiling point, and reactivity.
In borazole, the polarity arises from the difference in electronegativity between boron and nitrogen. Nitrogen is more electronegative than boron, pulling electron density towards itself.
This results in a partial negative charge on nitrogen and a partial positive charge on boron. When these charges arise in a molecular structure, the compound becomes polar due to uneven electron distribution.
This polarity also enhances the reactivity of borazole compared to non-polar molecules like benzene, as polar molecules tend to attract each other and other polar molecules, facilitating reactions.

Boron and Nitrogen in Borazole

Borazole is often termed as 'inorganic benzene' due to its similar structure, forming a six-membered ring.However, the composition of this ring strongly differentiates the chemistry of the two compounds.
In borazole, the ring contains alternating boron and nitrogen atoms instead of carbon atoms found in benzene.Each boron atom, being electron deficient, creates a need for additional electron density, whereas nitrogen, being more electronegative, tends to have a higher electron density.
The \( \text{B} \) \( \rightarrow \) \( \text{N} \) bond showcases partial ionic character and a dipole is established which also contributes to the compound's polarity and reactivity.
Ultimately, the presence of boron and nitrogen gives borazole distinct chemical properties, leading to higher reactivity compared to benzene.These atoms play a critical role in the reactivity and bonding characteristics found in borazole, highlighting the unique interplay between electron deficiency and polarity in the compound.