Amongst the following species, maximum covalent character is exhibited...
Hg2+ (Xe) 4f10 5d10
Most polarsing cation due to high zeff as shielding of d & f-orbital is very poor
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Amongst the following species, maximum covalent character is exhibited...
Explanation:
Covalent character refers to the sharing of electrons between atoms in a chemical bond. It is determined by the electronegativity difference between the two elements involved in the bond. The greater the electronegativity difference, the more ionic the bond becomes, and the lesser the electronegativity difference, the more covalent the bond becomes.
FeCl2:
- Iron (Fe) has an electronegativity value of 1.83, while chlorine (Cl) has an electronegativity value of 3.16.
- The electronegativity difference between Fe and Cl is 3.16 - 1.83 = 1.33.
- This moderate electronegativity difference suggests that FeCl2 has some covalent character, but it also has a significant ionic character due to the large electronegativity difference.
ZnCl2:
- Zinc (Zn) has an electronegativity value of 1.65, while chlorine (Cl) has an electronegativity value of 3.16.
- The electronegativity difference between Zn and Cl is 3.16 - 1.65 = 1.51.
- This electronegativity difference is slightly greater than that of FeCl2, indicating a slightly higher covalent character. However, ZnCl2 still has a significant ionic character.
HgCl2:
- Mercury (Hg) has an electronegativity value of 2.00, while chlorine (Cl) has an electronegativity value of 3.16.
- The electronegativity difference between Hg and Cl is 3.16 - 2.00 = 1.16.
- This electronegativity difference is smaller than that of both FeCl2 and ZnCl2, indicating a higher covalent character. HgCl2 has a stronger tendency towards covalent bonding.
CdCl2:
- Cadmium (Cd) has an electronegativity value of 1.69, while chlorine (Cl) has an electronegativity value of 3.16.
- The electronegativity difference between Cd and Cl is 3.16 - 1.69 = 1.47.
- This electronegativity difference is slightly smaller than that of ZnCl2, indicating a slightly higher covalent character. However, CdCl2 still has a significant ionic character.
Conclusion:
Among the given species, HgCl2 exhibits the maximum covalent character. This is because the electronegativity difference between Hg and Cl is the smallest among the options, indicating a stronger tendency towards covalent bonding.
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