Question

Which Is More Covalent ${\mathrm{SnCl}}_2\mathrm{or}{\mathrm{SnCl}}_4$?

Answer 1

1. Tin is a chemical element with an atomic number $50.$
2. Tin donates its electron to form a cation or attain a positive charge on it.
3. Tin generally shows two oxidation states such as${\mathrm{Sn}}^{+2}\mathrm{and}{\mathrm{Sn}}^{+4}$.
4. Chlorine is an electronegative element and accepts an electron to become stable.
5. They accept the electron to form a negative ion called an anion.
6. The strength of the covalent bond depends upon the electronegativity, polarising power, and charge density.
7. Greater is the charge density on the molecule stronger will be the covalent bond formed.
8. Polarising power of cation is inversely proportional to ionic radius.
9. By donating two electrons of Tin, it becomes ${\mathrm{Sn}}^{+2}$and by donating ,four electrons it becomes${\mathrm{Sn}}^{+4}$.
10. The charge density of ${\mathrm{Sn}}^{+4}$ is maximum compared with ${\mathrm{Sn}}^{+2}$ and so ${\mathrm{Sn}}^{+4}$is more covalent.
11. Hence we concluded that ${\mathrm{SnCl}}_4$ is more covalent than ${\mathrm{SnCl}}_2$.