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Chemistry GK · Q12

Acid, Base and Salts

Competitive Exams · Chemistry GK · question 12

Q12

. . . . . . . . is not acidic.

A.
PCl4
B.
SbCl4
C.
CCl4
Answer
D.
PCl2

Answer: Option C

Solution

Answer: Option C
Solution:
* Acidity often comes from a molecule's ability to donate a proton (H+) or accept electrons.
* In the context of these chlorides, we need to consider how they react with water (hydrolyze). Some will form acidic solutions because of this reaction.
Now let's look at the options:
* PCl4: This compound is unstable and doesn't exist under normal conditions. But theoretically, if it reacted with water, it could potentially form phosphorus-containing acids.
* SbCl4: Antimony tetrachloride can hydrolyze to form acidic solutions containing antimony oxychlorides and hydrochloric acid.
* CCl4: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is not acidic. It doesn't react with water easily. The carbon-chlorine bond is relatively strong, and there isn't a good mechanism for it to hydrolyze and release H+ ions.
* PCl2: This compound is unstable and doesn't exist under normal conditions. Similar to PCl4 it is capable of forming phosphorus-containing acids.
Therefore:
The answer is CCl4 because it doesn't readily hydrolyze to produce acidic species in water.