Extraction of Metals - Result Question 74
####77. Which of the two, anhydrous or hydrated $AlCl _3$ is more soluble in diethyl ether? Justify using the concepts of bonding in not more than 2 or 3 sentences.
(2003)
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Solution:
- Anhydrous $AlCl _3$ is more soluble in diethyl ether as the oxygen atom of ether donate its lone-pair of electrons to the vacant orbital of $Al$ in electron deficient $AlCl _3$. In case of hydrated $AlCl _3, Al$ is not electron deficient as oxygen of water molecule has already donated its lone-pair of electrons to compensate electron deficiency of Al.