devarshi-dt-logo

Question:

(a) Draw the molecular structures of the following compounds: (i) N2O5 (ii) XeOF4 (b) Explain the following observations: (i) Sulphur has a greater tendency for catenation than oxygen. (ii) ICl is more reactive than I2. (iii) Despite lower value of its electron gain enthalpy with negative sign, fluorine (F2) is a stronger oxidizing agent than Cl2.

Solution:

(b) (i) Due to strong S-S bond and less interelectronic repulsion, sulphur has greater tendency for catenation (ii) I-Cl bond is polar and hence, more reactive compound to I2 in which I-I bond is non-polar (iii) Due to high electronegativity and small size of fluorine, it acts as stronger oxidizing agent.