MHT CET202618 April 2026Morning ShiftChemistryChemical Bonding and Molecular StructureActual
Which of the following metal halides have more covalent character?
Options
- ASnCl ₂
- BPbCl ₄
- CSbCl ₃
- DPbCl ₂
Correct answer
B. PbCl ₄
Step-by-step solution
According to Fajan's rules, the covalent character of a metal halide increases with an increase in the positive charge on the central metal cation. A higher charge on the cation results in greater polarizing power, which increases the covalent character of the bond. The oxidation states of the central metal cations in the given options are: SnCl ₂ : +2 PbCl ₄ : +4 SbCl ₃ : +3 PbCl ₂ : +2 Since Pb in PbCl ₄ has the highest oxidation state of +4 , the Pb ⁴⁺ ion has the maximum polarizing power. Thus, PbCl ₄ has the m