Q44 / 120 · NTA Abhyas (JEE Main) 2020 · Chemistry · p Block Elements (Group 15, 16, 17 & 18)

The halides which can react with water or undergo hydrolysis are
PCl5,SiCl4,BCl3,CCl4 and SF6

  • A
    PCl5,SiCl4,BCl3,CCl4 and SF6
  • B
    PCl5,SiCl4,BCl3 and CCl4
  • Correct answer
    C
    PCl5,SiCl4 and BCl3
  • D
    PCl5 and SiCl4

Solution

Sometimes, when maximum covalency is obtained, the halides become inert to water. Thus, SF6 is stable. This is because SF6 is coordinately saturated and sterically hindered. Thus, SF6 is inert to water, because of kinetic rather than thermodynamic factor. CCl4 cannot undergo hydrolysis as carbon does not have vacant d-orbitals to extend its covalency.
Rest other PCl5,SiCl4 and BCl3 can undergo hydrolysis as follows
PCl5+4H2O→H3PO4+5H+Cl-
SiCl4+4H2O→Si(OH)4+4H+Cl-
BCl3+3H2O→B(OH)3+3H+Cl-

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.

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