Question

Why does B(CH3)3 violate the octet rule?

Answer 1

`"B(CH"_3)_3` violates the octet rule because the `"B"` atom has only six valence electrons in its valence shell.

The octet rule is a chemical rule of thumb that states that atoms of main-group elements combine in such a way that each atom will have eight electrons in its valence shell.

The Lewis structure of `"B(CH"_3")"_3` is

We see that the molecule has only six valence electrons around the `"B"` atom.

This is a violation of the octet rule.