Question

(a) Complete the following reaction equations:

(i) SO₂ + MnO₄^- + H₂O→

(ii) HgCl₂ + PH₃→

(b) Explain the following observations:
(i) Sulphur has a greater tendency for catenation than oxygen.
(ii) Fluorine is a stronger oxidising agent than chlorine.

(iii) The +5 oxidation state becomes less stable down the group in group 15 of the periodic
table.

Answer 1

(b) (i) Sulphur has a greater tendency for catenation than oxygen because S-S bond is stronger than O – O bond due to less interelectronic repulsions.

(ii) It is due to

low enthalpy of dissociation of F–F bond.

 high hydration enthalpy of F.

(iii) This is due to inert pair effect.