Which of the following oxides will be the least acidic?[1996]a)As4O6b)...
As th e O.N of the central atom of the compounds increases acidic strength of that compound also increases and on moving from top to bottom in groups acidic strength of oxides also decrease due to decreasing electronegativity in groups.
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Which of the following oxides will be the least acidic?[1996]a)As4O6b)...
Explanation:
To determine the acidity of oxides, we need to analyze their chemical formula and structure.
As4O6:
This oxide contains arsenic (As) and oxygen (O) atoms. It has 4 arsenic atoms and 6 oxygen atoms. The chemical formula suggests that each arsenic atom is bonded to 1.5 oxygen atoms on average. This indicates that the oxide has a lower oxygen-to-arsenic ratio compared to As4O10.
As4O10:
This oxide also contains arsenic (As) and oxygen (O) atoms. It has 4 arsenic atoms and 10 oxygen atoms. The chemical formula suggests that each arsenic atom is bonded to 2.5 oxygen atoms on average. This indicates that the oxide has a higher oxygen-to-arsenic ratio compared to As4O6.
P4O10:
This oxide contains phosphorus (P) and oxygen (O) atoms. It has 4 phosphorus atoms and 10 oxygen atoms. The chemical formula suggests that each phosphorus atom is bonded to 2.5 oxygen atoms on average. This oxide has a similar oxygen-to-phosphorus ratio as As4O10.
P4O6:
This oxide also contains phosphorus (P) and oxygen (O) atoms. It has 4 phosphorus atoms and 6 oxygen atoms. The chemical formula suggests that each phosphorus atom is bonded to 1.5 oxygen atoms on average. This oxide has a lower oxygen-to-phosphorus ratio compared to P4O10.
Analysis:
The acidity of oxides is influenced by their ability to donate protons (H+) in aqueous solutions. Generally, oxides with a higher oxygen-to-metal ratio are more acidic because they can readily release protons.
Comparing the oxygen-to-metal ratios of the given oxides:
- As4O6 has the lowest oxygen-to-arsenic ratio (1.5:1)
- As4O10 and P4O10 have the highest oxygen-to-metal ratios (2.5:1)
- P4O6 has an intermediate oxygen-to-phosphorus ratio (1.5:1)
Conclusion:
As4O6 has the lowest oxygen-to-metal ratio among the given oxides, indicating that it is the least acidic. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.