Given below are two statements: Statement I: SbCl 5 is more covalent than SbCl 3 Statement II: The higher…

Given below are two statements:

Statement I: SbCl5 is more covalent than SbCl3

Statement II: The higher oxides of halogens also tend to be more stable than the lower ones.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

  1. Statement I is incorrect but statement II is correct
  2. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
  3. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
  4. Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect

Solution

The oxidation state of +5 in pentahalides is more covalent as compared to the +3 oxidation state in trihalides. Due to the higher positive oxidation state of the central atom in pentahalide state, these atoms will have larger polarising power than the halogen atom attached to them since the polarising power is directly proportional to the charge. More is the polarisation, larger will be the covalent character of the bond. Hence, due to larger polarisation of bond in pentahalide state as compared to trihalide state, the SbCl5 is more covalent than SbCl3. 

Higher oxides of halogens are more stable than lower ones due to the formation of more number of bonds, which results in higher release of energy. So, both the statements I and II are correct.

Asked in: JEE Main 2023 (12 Apr Shift 1)

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