Question

Explain why Ccl₄ cannot be hydrolysed? Also explain what is hyrodysis.!?

Answer 1

HYDROLYSIS :
A chemical reaction in which water is used to break down a compound; this is achieved by breaking a covalent bond in the compound by inserting a water molecule across the bond.

CCl4 is not hydrolyzed because of two reasons:

1. Carbon does not have d-orbitals because it is found in 2nd period i.e. second shell so as the 3d -orbitals are not available and so it can not expand its co-ordination no. above 4.

Since, in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) all the valencies are satisfied, so it can not add any water molecule by any mean so the reaction becomes

CCl4 + H2O ---> No reaction.

2. Due, to smaller size of C-atom it is shielded by the larger Cl-atoms so attack of water is not possible for hydrolysis.