Ncert Exercises & Solutions

Give reasons for the following

1. CCl₄ is immiscible in water, whereas SiCl₄ is easily hydrolysed.

2. Carbon has a strong tendency for catenation compared to silicon.

(a) Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) is a covalent compound while H₂O is a polar compound. CCl₄ does not form H-bond with water molecule. Hence, it is immiscible in water.

Further more, CCl₄ is not hydrolysed by water because of the absence of d-orbitals in carbon while SiCl₄ is readily hydrolysed by water.

{SiCl}_{4} + 4 H_{2} O \to \underset{Silicic acid}{Si {(OH)}_{4}} + 4 HCl

The hydrolysis of SiCl₄ occurs due to coordination of OH^- with empty 3d orbitals in silicon atom of SiCl₄ molecule.

(b) Carbon atmos have the tendency to link with one another through covalent bonds to form chains and rings. This property is called catenation. This is because C-C bonds are very strong.

Down the group, the size increases and electronegativity decreases and thereby, tendency to show catenation decreases. Thus, carbon has a strong tendency for catenation as compared to silicon.

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