wiz-icon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
1
You visited us 1 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!
Question

An aqueous solution of hydrated aluminium chloride contains

Open in App
Solution

The solution contains hydrated aluminium ions and chloride ions:

AlCl3(s) + aq → [Al(H2O)6]3+(aq) + 3Cl -(aq)

The hexaqua complex ion behaves exactly like ions of similar type formed from transition metals; the small, highly charged metal ion polarises (withdraws electron density from) the water molecules that are attached to the aluminium ion through dative covalent bonds. This makes the hydrogen atoms d+ and susceptible to attack from solvent water, which is acting as a base. The complex ion is deprotonated, causing the solution to be acidic from the formation of hydroxonium ions H3O+:

[Al(H2O)6]3+(aq) + H2O(l) → [Al(H2O)5OH]2+(aq) + H3O+(aq)


flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
0
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
Chemical Properties of Alcohols 1
CHEMISTRY
Watch in App
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
CrossIcon