Question

Discuss the properties of the oxides of halogens.

Answer 1

Properties of oxides of halogens :

• Both OF₂ and O₂F₂ are strong fluorinating agents. Only OF₂ is thermally stable at 298 K.OF₂ oxidises plutonium to PuF₆. This reaction is used to remove Pu as PUF₆ from spent nuclear fuel.
• The chlorine oxides Cl₂O, ClO₂, Cl₂O₆ and Cl₂O₇ are highly reactive oxidizing agents and tend to explode. ClO₂ is used as a bleaching agent in the paper industry and textiles and in water treatment.
• Bromine forms oxides like Br₂O, BrO₂, BrO₃, which are the least stable halogen oxides. They are powerful oxidising agents.
• Iodine forms oxides like I₂O₄, I₂O₅ and I₂O₇. These solids are insoluble in water and decompose on heating. I₂O₅ is a powerful oxidising agent and is used to determine the amount of carbon monoxide.

For a particular halogen, 

Higher oxides are more stable than the lower ones.