Question

Which of the following is true about interhalogen compounds?

• A. They have unpaired electrons
• B. They are highly stable
• C. They are diamagnetic
• D. They are paramagnetic

Answer 1

The correct option is C They are diamagnetic

Interhalogen compounds are all covalent molecules and are diamagnetic in nature. They are highly reactive and unstable. This is because they have bond pairs and lone pairs. The $A-X$ bond in interhalogen compounds is much weaker than the $X-X$ bond in halogens, except for the $F-F$ bond.
They are volatile solids or liquids at 298 K except $ClF$ which is a gas. Their physical properties are intermediate between those of constituent halogens except that their m.p. and b.p. are a little higher than expected.