Which of the compounds can exist together?
Correct Answer :
FeCl₂, SnCl₂
Solution :
The correct option is "FeCl₂, SnCl₂".
To determine which pair of compounds can exist together in a solution, we must analyze the possibility of a chemical reaction between them. Specifically, we look for potential oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions where one species can oxidize the other.
If two substances can undergo a redox reaction, they cannot coexist in a stable solution. If no redox reaction is thermodynamically favorable between them, they can exist together.
Let's analyze the stability and oxidation states of the metals in the options:
1. HgCl₂ and SnCl₂:
Mercury in is in the +2 oxidation state (), which is a strong oxidizing agent. Tin in is in the +2 oxidation state (), which is a well-known reducing agent because it readily oxidizes to the more stable +4 state (). Therefore, they react as follows:
Because they react with each other, they cannot exist together.
2. FeCl₃ and KI:
Iron in is in the +3 oxidation state (), which is moderately oxidizing. Iodide () in KI is a reducing agent. easily oxidizes to elemental iodine () while being reduced to :
Thus, they react and cannot exist together.
3. FeCl₃ and SnCl₂:
Again, is an oxidizing agent and is a reducing agent. oxidizes to and is itself reduced to :
Thus, they react and cannot exist together.
4. FeCl₂ and SnCl₂:
Here, iron is in the +2 oxidation state () and tin is in the +2 oxidation state (). Both and act primarily as reducing agents (they prefer to be oxidized to and respectively). Neither of them has a strong enough oxidizing potential under standard conditions to oxidize the other. Consequently, no redox reaction occurs between them, meaning they do not react and can stablely exist together in solution.
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