Inert pair effect
p-Block Elements · Chemistry
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PbCl₄ decomposes to PbCl₂ + Cl₂ but CCl₄ is stable. Explain. Step 1: Pb's 6s² electrons are held tightly (poor shielding by 4f/5d). Step 2: Removing them (Pb⁴⁺) costs huge energy — Pb⁴⁺ is a strong oxidiser. Step 3: PbCl₄ → PbCl₂ + Cl₂: Pb⁴⁺ oxidises Cl⁻ to regain the 6s² pair. Step 4: Carbon has no d/f electrons — no inert pair, C⁴⁺ (CCl₄) perfectly stable.
Related topics
- Group 13 (boron family): borax, boric acid, diborane, aluminium compounds
- Group 14 (carbon family): allotropes of carbon, CO, CO2, silicones, silicates
- Group 15 (nitrogen family): ammonia, oxides of nitrogen, nitric acid, phosphorus allotropes, phosphoric acid
- Group 16 (oxygen family): ozone, sulphur allotropes, sulphuric acid, oxides
- Group 17 (halogens): chlorine, HCl, oxoacids of halogens, interhalogen compounds
- Group 18 (noble gases): xenon fluorides and oxides