Question

Which of the following statements about anhydrous aluminium chloride is correct?

• A. it sublimes at 100 ^oC under vacuum
• B. it exists as $AlC{l}_3$ molecules
• C. it is a strong Lewis base
• D. it is not easily hydrolysed

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

$AlC{l}_3$ exists as a dimmer $(A{l}_{2}C{l}_6)$ . It is a strong Lewis acid as Al has an incomplete octet and has a tendency to gain electrons. $AlC{l}_3$ undergoes hydrolysis easily and forms an acidic solution.

$AlC{l}_3+3H_{2}O\to Al(OH{)}_3+3HCl$

i.e., $AlC{l}_3$ sublimes at 100oC under vaccum.