A molecular geometry in which three attached chemical atoms and their central atom lie in one plane. The ideal symmetric arrangement has three angles and D3h molecular point group symmetry, as in an isolated boron trifluoride molecule.
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Trigonal planar molecular geometry is a type of molecular shape that occurs when a central atom is surrounded by three other atoms, all positioned at the corners of an equilateral triangle. This arrangement results in a bond angle of approximately 120 degrees between the atoms. The trigonal planar shape is typically found in molecules where the central atom has three bonding pairs of electrons and no lone pairs. An example of a molecule with trigonal planar geometry is boron trifluoride (BF₃).