Question Details

The species formed on fluorination of phosphorus pentachloride in a polar organic solvent are

Options

A

[ PF 4 ] + [ PF 6 ] and [ PCl 4 ] + [ PF 6 ]

B

[ PCl 4 ] + [ PClF 2 ] and [ PCl 4 ] + [ PF 6 ]

C

PF 3 and PCl 3

D

PF 5 and PCl 3

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option B

[ PCl 4 ] + [ PClF 2 ] and [ PCl 4 ] + [ PF 6 ]

Solution :

The correct answer is:

[PCl4]+[PClF2] and [PCl4]+[PF6]

Step-by-step Explanation:

1. Ionization of Phosphorus Pentachloride:
In a polar organic solvent, phosphorus pentachloride (PCl5) ionizes to form ionic complexes containing a tetrahedral cation and an octahedral anion. In solid state or polar solvents, PCl5 auto-ionizes as:

2PCl5[PCl4]++[PCl6]

2. Fluorination Reaction:
When fluorination occurs in a polar organic solvent, fluorine replaces chlorine atoms preferentially in the anionic species or forms mixed fluoro-chloro complexes while preserving the stable cation [PCl4]+.

3. Formation of Species:
Depending on the extent of fluorination, fluorine exchange yields cationic and anionic complex species containing [PCl4]+ along with fluoro-substituted anions such as [PClF2]- and ultimately [PF6]-.

Therefore, the species formed during the reaction are:

[PCl4]+[PClF2] and [PCl4]+[PF6]

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