Chem 400

Inorganic Chemistry

Practice Exam 2
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Name _________________________________________________________
(please print)
1. Using balanced chemical equations, give an explanation for the following
observations: AlF3 has only a low solubility in liquid HF, but a combination of NaF
and AlF3 leads to dissolution of the reagents (1st equation); when BF3 is added to
this solution, a precipitate forms (2nd equation). (10 points)

2. The σ bonding in the linear molecule XeF2 may be described as a 3-center, 4-

electron bond. If the z axis is assigned as the internuclear axis, use the pz orbitals
on each of the atoms to prepare a molecular orbital description of the sigma bonding
in XeF2. (10 points)

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3. Suggest likely products for the following reactions (which are balanced on the left-
hand side): (2 points each)

a. 2 XeF2 + SbF5 →

b. Me3SiCl + Na[C5H5] →

c. BCl3 + 3 C2H5OH →

n
d. BuLi + C6H6 →

e. 2 (CH3)3SnCl + Mg →

f.
1. THF
B2H6 + 6 CH2=CH2
2. H2O2

g. PCl5 + N2H4 →

h. 2XeF6 + SiO2 →

i. AlCl3 + 3 CH3CH2MgCl →

j. 2 NaOH + 2F2 →

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4. ClO2 and [ClO2]- are bent, each with equivalent Cl-O bond lengths: 147 pm in ClO2
and 157 pm in [ClO2]-. Give a description of bonding in ClO2 and [ClO2]- and
rationalize the difference in Cl-O bond lengths. Use both resonance structures and
MO theory arguments. Draw a representation of the π-molecular orbitals. (10
points)

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5. Draw reasonable three-dimensional structures for each of the following inorganic
molecules (2 points each)

a. (CH3Li)4

b. [B3O6]3-

c. (HBNH)3

d. [Si4O12]8-

e. Bi2Cl92-

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f. [H9O4]+

g. S8

h. [S4]2+

i. (η5-Cp)BeH

j. Al2(CH3)6

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6. The triiodide ion, I3-, is linear, but I3+ is bent. Explain. (5 points):

7. The sulfur-sulfur distance in S2, the major component of sulfur vapor above ~720 ºC,
is 189 pm, significantly shorter than the sulfur-sulfur distance of 206 pm in S8.
Suggest an explanation for the shorter distance in S2. (5 points)

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8. Suggest a balanced chemical equation to describe the autodissociation of ICl (1st
equation). NaCl behaves as a base in this solvent, while AlCl3 behaves as an acid.
Write balanced chemical equations for the dissolution of NaCl in ICl (2nd equation)
and AlCl3 in ICl (3rd equation). (10 points)

9. Describe the bonding in Ga2H6 and Ga2Cl6. (10 points)