Suggest a structure for the mixed aluminum–boron hydride AlBH₆.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the components of the compound AlBH_6, which consists of aluminum (Al), boron (B), and hydrogen (H).
2. Step 2: Recognize that aluminum typically forms three bonds, while boron can form three bonds and often acts as a central atom in hydrides.
3. Step 3: Consider the typical bonding patterns of hydrides, where hydrogen atoms are often bonded to more electronegative elements like boron.
4. Step 4: Propose a structure where boron is the central atom, bonded to three hydrogen atoms, forming a BH_3 unit, and aluminum is bonded to the remaining hydrogen atoms.
5. Step 5: Ensure that the structure satisfies the valency of each element, with aluminum potentially forming additional bonds to hydrogen or interacting with the BH_3 unit.

Key Concepts

Aluminum and Boron Chemistry

Aluminum (Al) and boron (B) are both p-block elements that can form various compounds, including hydrides. Aluminum typically exhibits a +3 oxidation state, while boron often shows a +3 or +1 state. Understanding their bonding behavior and the types of compounds they form is essential for predicting the structure of mixed hydrides like AlBH6.

Hydride Structures

Hydrides are compounds formed between hydrogen and other elements. In the case of aluminum-boron hydride, the structure involves Al and B atoms coordinated with hydrogen atoms. The geometry and bonding in these hydrides can vary, but they often exhibit tetrahedral or octahedral arrangements, which are crucial for determining the overall structure of AlBH6.

Coordination Chemistry

Coordination chemistry studies the interactions between metal ions and ligands, which can include hydride ions. In AlBH6, aluminum acts as a central atom coordinated by boron and hydrogen ligands. Understanding coordination numbers and geometries helps in predicting the spatial arrangement of atoms in the compound, which is vital for suggesting its structure.