The experimental works of vibrational spectroscopy and normal coordinate analyses for BCl3, BBr3and BI3are reviewed extensively. Harmonic force fields of theE' species are produced using isotopic frequencies and Coriolis constants as additional data, respectively. The usefulness of Keating coordinates versus valence coordinates as basis of force field approximations is discussed. The conclusions are not unequivocal, but they go in favour of the Keating coordinates when the reliability of the different computations is taken into account. Boron trichloride is treated specifically in some detail. Final force fields are proposed for the title molecules with the aid of the mass influence on Coriolis constants.