Why are pentahalides more covalent than | Class 12 Chemistry Chapter The p-Block Elements, The p-Block Elements NCERT Solutions

Question:

Why are pentahalides more covalent than trihalides?

Answer:

The group 15 elements (nitrogen, phosphorus,arsenic,antimony and bismuth) when reacted with halogen atom ,tend to form halides. The halides formed are of two types:

 

1) Trihalides (MX3)

2) Pentahalides (MX5)        where M -15TH group element        X- halogen atom

 

The trihalides are formed by all the elements of group 15 while pentahalides are formed by all the elements except nitrogen because there is absence of vacant d- orbital in its outermost shell.

The oxidation state of +5 in pentahalides is more as compared to +3 oxidation state in trihalides. Due to the higher positive oxidation state of central atom in pentahalide state, these atoms will have larger polarizing power than the halogen atom attached to them. The central atom in pentahalide state will tend to polarize more the halide ion to which it is attached.

But In case of trihalides due to +3 oxidation state the central atom will polarize the halogen atom to a lesser extent as compared to pentahalide state. Therefore, more the polarization, larger will be the covalent character of the bond.

Hence due larger polarization of bond in pentahalide state as compared to trihalide state, the pentahalides are more covalent than trihalides.


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Comments

  • DHARMAPANDIAN
  • 2019-07-22 11:27:21

More the polarization more the covalent. I couldn't understand this line. If there is more polarization it could be more ionic. Am i correct.please clarify me


  • Vicly
  • 2019-07-04 09:31:40

Supb


  • Shyam
  • 2019-03-06 19:19:20

Great one.


  • Yogesh
  • 2019-03-06 12:27:51

Nice ... no words


  • Abhishek Singh
  • 2019-02-17 15:13:14

Thank a lot


  • Abhishek Singh
  • 2019-02-17 15:12:41

Thank a lot


  • Shivam
  • 2019-01-19 14:16:23

your answer gives exact knowledge which not found anywhere .great work!


  • Lavina
  • 2019-01-12 15:14:33

Really great thanks alot! It clear my alot of doubts


  • Jazzy Kang
  • 2018-11-13 13:29:06

THANK YOU!!!


  • Yogesh
  • 2018-11-09 08:06:44

Best answers ever than other books.


Comment(s) on this Question

Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry - Chapter . This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Excercise 1 , Question 1: Why are pentahalides more covalent than trihalides?....