Question

Which of the following statements are correct?
(i) All the three $N—O$ bond lengths in $HN{O}_3$ are equal.
(ii) All $P—Cl$ bond lengths in $PC{l}_5$ molecule in gaseous state are equal.
(iii) $P_4$ molecule in white phohsphorus have angular strain therefore white phosphorus is very reactive.
(iv) $PC{l}_5$ is ionic in solid state in which cation is tetrahedral and anion is octahedral.

• A. (i) and (iv)
• B. (iii) and (iv)
• C. (ii) and (iii)
• D. (ii) only

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

(iii) White phosphorus consists of discrete tetrahedral $P_4$ molecules. It is more reactive than the other solid phases because of angular strain in the molecule where the angles are only $60^{\circ }$.
(iv) In the solid state, $PC{l}_5$ exists as an ionic solid ${\left[PC{l}_4\right]}^{+}$ $[PC{l}_6{]}^{-}$in which the cation, ${\left[PC{l}_4\right]}^{+}$is tetrahedral and the anion ${\left[PC{l}_6\right]}^{-}$is octahedral.