Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Group 13 trivalent halides get easily hydrolyzed by water due to their covalent nature.
Statement II: $AlCl_3$ upon hydrolysis in acidified aqueous solution forms octahedral $[Al(H_2O)_6]^{3+}$ ion.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. Statement I is true but statement II is false
• B. Statement I is false but statement II is true
• C. Both statement I and statement II are false
• D. Both statement I and statement II are true

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Both statement I and statement II are true

Answer 2

In the trivalent state, most of the compounds are covalent and are hydrolyzed in water. Trichlorides, upon hydrolysis in water, form tetrahedral $[\text{M(OH)}_4]^-$ species, and the hybridization state of element M is $sp^3$.

In the case of aluminum, acidified aqueous solution forms octahedral $[\text{Al(H}_2\text{O)}_6]^{3+}$ ion.