Why are pentahalides more covalent than trihalides ?


Pentahalides (like MX5) means the compounds in which metal is bonded with five halogen atoms. Thus, the oxidation state of metal here is +5. Similarly, trihalides (like MX3) means the compounds in which metal is bonded with three halogen atoms. Thus, the oxidation state of metal here is +3. Now, as the polarizing power is directly proportional to the charge, the metals with the higher charge will have higher polarizing power. Hence, Pentahalides are more covalent than trihalides.

Note: Polarizing power is the ability of a cation to distort an anion.


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