When two compounds ACl 3 and DCl 3 of two elements A and D are mixed together, a compound ADCl 6 is formed. The structural analysis showed that ADCl 6 is an ionic compound. Given that DCl 3 is trigonal planar and ACl 3 is trigonal pyramidal, predict the shape of the cation if the shape of the anion is tetrahedral.

Step-by-step solution

⇒ Since, DCl 3 is trigonal planar, hence, ' D ' belongs to the boron family. ⇒ Since ACl 3 is trigonal pyramidal, hence, ' A ' belongs to the nitrogen family. ⇒ DCl 3 + ACl 3 → DCl 2 +   ACl 4 - or ACl 2 + DCl 4 - If the anionic part is ACl 4 - which has a see-saw structure, then, cationic part will be DCl 2 + where the hybridization of D will be sp and hence, the shape will be linear. If the anionic part is DCl 4 - i.e., it is of tetrahedral shape, then, the cationic part