Question

State reason for the following:

Fluorine provides the largest variety of interhalogen compounds amongst halogens.

Answer 1

1. Fluorine is the most electronegative and smallest halogen, which allows it to combine easily with other larger halogens.
2. It can form bonds with chlorine, bromine, iodine, and even astatine in different ratios.
3. In interhalogen compounds, the larger halogen atom acts as the central atom and fluorine as the terminal atom with −1 oxidation state.
4. Fluorine forms interhalogen compounds of types XY, XY₃, XY₅, and XY₇ due to its ability to stabilise higher oxidation states of other halogens.
5. Its high reactivity and strong oxidising nature also favour the formation of diverse interhalogen compounds.