Question

Thallous chloride is more stable than thallic chloride because of:

• A. more ionic character
• B. larger size of $T{l}^{+}$ ion
• C. high hydration energy of $T{l}^{+}$ ion
• D. inert pair effect.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

inert pair effect.

As we go down the group in p block elements, the stability of the lower oxidation state increases due to the inert pair effect.

So, thallous chloride $\left(T{l}^{+}\right)$ is more stable than thallic chloride $\left(T{l}^{3+}\right)$.

Option D is correct.