Question Details

Which of the compounds can exist together?

Options

A

HgCl₂, SnCl₂

B

FeCl₃, KI

C

FeCl₂, SnCl₂

D

FeCl₃, SnCl₂

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 HgCl2 is in the +2 oxidation state (Hg2+), which is a strong oxidizing agent. Tin in SnCl2 is in the +2 oxidation state (Sn2+), which is a well-known reducing agent because it readily oxidizes to the more stable +4 state (Sn4+). Therefore, they react as follows:
2HgCl2+SnCl2Hg2Cl2+SnCl4
Because they react with each other, they cannot exist together.

2. FeCl₃ and KI:
Iron in FeCl3 is in the +3 oxidation state (Fe3+), which is moderately oxidizing. Iodide (I-) in KI is a reducing agent. Fe3+ easily oxidizes I- to elemental iodine (I2) while being reduced to Fe2+:
2FeCl3+2KI2FeCl2+2KCl+I2
Thus, they react and cannot exist together.

3. FeCl₃ and SnCl₂:
Again, Fe3+ is an oxidizing agent and Sn2+ is a reducing agent. Fe3+ oxidizes Sn2+ to Sn4+ and is itself reduced to Fe2+:
2FeCl3+SnCl22FeCl2+SnCl4
Thus, they react and cannot exist together.

4. FeCl₂ and SnCl₂:
Here, iron is in the +2 oxidation state (Fe2+) and tin is in the +2 oxidation state (Sn2+). Both Fe2+ and Sn2+ act primarily as reducing agents (they prefer to be oxidized to Fe3+ and Sn4+ 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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