Question

Which of the following compounds of elements in group IV is expected to be least ionic?

• A. $PbC{l}_2$
• B. $PbC{l}_4$
• C. $CC{l}_4$
• D. $SiC{l}_4$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

$CC{l}_4$

Polarising power of an ion is inversely proportional to ionic character.

$C^{4+}$ has maximum polarising power out of $P{b}^{2+},P{b}^{4+},S{i}^{4+}$.

So, $CC{l}_4$ is least ionic. Smaller the size of cation, higher is the polarization power.