When two compounds ACl 3 and DCl 3 of two elements A and D are mixed together a compound ADCl 6 is formed. 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 anion DCl 4 - .

Step-by-step solution

⇒ As DCl 3 is trigonal planar, hence, 'D' belongs to boron family. ⇒ As ACl 3 is trigonal pyramidal, hence, 'A' belongs to nitrogen family. ⇒ DCl 3 + ACl 3 → [DCl 2 ] + [ACl 4 ] – or [ACl 2 ] + [DCl 4 ] – if anionic part is [ACl 4 ] – which has See - saw structure then cationic part will be [DCl 2 ] + where hybridization of D will be 'sp' and hence, shape will be linear. ⇒ If anionic part is DCl 4 - i.e, it is of tetrahedral shape the cation part will be ACl 2 + which will be bent with sp 2 hybridisation.