Question

Correct statement(s) about the compounds \(X\), \(Y\) and \(Z\) is(are)

• A. \(X\) is used for sterilizing drinking water.
• B. \(Y\) has a planar structure.
• C. \(Z\) is used in the enrichment of \(^{235}\mathrm{U}\).
• D. \(Y\) is a stronger Lewis base than ammonia.

Hint:

Important reactions to remember: \[ \mathrm{MnO_2 + 4HCl \rightarrow MnCl_2 + Cl_2 + 2H_2O} \] Chlorine gas:
• is greenish-yellow
• is used in water sterilization Also remember: \[ \text{Electron-withdrawing groups reduce Lewis basicity} \] Thus: \[ \mathrm{NH_2Cl} \] is less basic than: \[ \mathrm{NH_3} \] because chlorine decreases electron density on nitrogen through the \(-I\) effect.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Identify the chemicals from the reaction sequence: 1. \(\text{MnO}_2 + 4\text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{MnCl}_2 + \text{Cl}_2 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O}\). So, X is Chlorine gas (\(\text{Cl}_2\)), which is greenish-yellow. 2. \(\text{NH}_3 + 3\text{Cl}_2 (\text{excess}) \rightarrow \text{NCl}_3 + 3\text{HCl}\). So, Y is Nitrogen trichloride (\(\text{NCl}_3\)). (If ammonia was in excess, the product would be \(\text{NH}_4\text{Cl}\) and \(\text{N}_2\)). 3. \(\text{Cl}_2 + 3\text{F}_2 (\text{excess}) \rightarrow 2\text{ClF}_3\). (At 573 K with excess F\(_2\), interhalogens are formed). So, Z is Chlorine trifluoride (\(\text{ClF}_3\)).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
(A) X is \(\text{Cl}_2\). Chlorine is widely used as a disinfectant and bleaching agent. It is used to sterilize drinking water. Statement (A) is True. (B) Y is \(\text{NCl}_3\). It has a pyramidal structure (like ammonia) due to the presence of one lone pair on Nitrogen (sp\(^3\) hybridization). It is not planar. Statement (B) is False. (C) Z is \(\text{ClF}_3\). \(\text{ClF}_3\) is a powerful fluorinating agent used in the production of \(\text{UF}_6\) from uranium. \(\text{UF}_6\) is then used in the gaseous diffusion or centrifuge process for the enrichment of \(^{235}\)U. Statement (C) is True. (D) In \(\text{NCl}_3\), the highly electronegative chlorine atoms pull the electron density away from Nitrogen (Inductive effect). This makes the lone pair on Nitrogen less available for donation. Thus, \(\text{NCl}_3\) is a much weaker Lewis base than \(\text{NH}_3\). Statement (D) is False.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Chlorine is a sterilizer. \(\text{ClF}_3\) is an industrial fluorinating agent. \(\text{NCl}_3\) is pyramidal and a weak base.