A degree of π-bonding has been proposed to explain the short B− Cl distance although there is some debate as to its extent.[3] It does not dimerize, although NMR studies of mixtures of boron trihalides shows the presence of mixed halides. The absence of dimerisation contrasts with the tendencies of AlCl3 and GaCl3, which form dimers or polymers with 4 or 6 coordinate metal centres