Borax has the molecular formula Na₂B₄O₅(OH)₄. The structure of the anion in this compound is shown below. What is the electron pair geometry and molecular geometry surrounding each of the boron atoms in this anion? What hybridization can be assigned to each of the boron atoms? What is the formal charge of each boron atom?

Transcribed Image Text:

B atom surrounded by 4 electron pairs B atom surrounded by 3 electron pairs The structure of the borax anion