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NCERT Class XII Chemistry
Chapter - The p-Block Elements
Questions with Solutions

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Question : 16
Total: 74
Can PCl5 act as an oxidising as well as a reducing agent? Justify.
Solution:  
The oxidation state of P in PCl5 is +5. As P has five electrons in itsvalence shell, it cannot increase its oxidation state beyond +5 by donatingelectrons, therefore,PCl5 cannot act as a reducing agent. However, it candecrease its oxidation number from +5 to +3 or some lower value, so,PCl5 acts as an oxidising agent. For example, it oxidises Ag to AgCl, Snto SnCl4.
0‌+5‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌+1‌+3
2Ag+PCl5+––––––▶2AgCl+PCl3;
0‌+5‌‌‌‌‌+4‌‌‌+3

Sn+2PCl5––––––▶SnCl4+2PCl3
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