Question

(a) Complete the following chemical reaction equations::

(i) P₄ + SO₂Cl₂ →

(ii) XeF₄ + H₂O →

(b) Explain the following observations giving appropriate reasons:
(i) The stability of +5 oxidation state decreases down the group in group 15 of the periodic table.
(ii) Solid phosphorus pentachloride behaves as an ionic compound.
(iii) Halogens are strong oxidizing agents.

Answer 1

(a) Complete the following chemical reaction equations:

(b) (i) The stability of +5 oxidation state decreases down the group in group 15 of the periodic table. The + 3 oxidation state becomes more and more common on moving down the group from N to Bi. This is because of inert pair effect.

(ii) Solid PCl₅ behaves as an ionic compound because it is a salt containing the tetrahedral cation [PCl₄]⁺ and octahedral anion [PCl₆]^–.

(iii) Halogens are strong oxidising agents because they have high electron affinities, so, they pick up electrons from other substances.