To determine if species are isostructural, we calculate their steric numbers and hybridization based on VSEPR theory:
- BCl3 and BrCl3: BCl3 has 3 bond pairs and 0 lone pairs (sp2 hybridization, trigonal planar). BrCl3 has 3 bond pairs and 2 lone pairs (sp3d hybridization, T-shaped). They are not isostructural.
- NH3 and NO3−: NH3 has 3 bond pairs and 1 lone pair (sp3 hybridization, trigonal pyramidal). NO3− has 3 bond domains and 0 lone pairs (sp2 hybridization, trigonal planar). They are not isostructural.
- NF3 and BF3: NF3 is sp3 hybridized (trigonal pyramidal), whereas BF3 is sp2 hybridized (trigonal planar). They are not isostructural.
- BF4− and NH4+: In BF4−, the central boron atom has 4 valence electrons (3 + 1 from the negative charge) forming 4 bond pairs and 0 lone pairs (sp3 hybridized, tetrahedral). In NH4+, the central nitrogen atom has 4 valence electrons (5 - 1 for the positive charge) forming 4 bond pairs and 0 lone pairs (sp3 hybridized, tetrahedral). Since both have the same sp3 hybridization and tetrahedral shape, they are isostructural.