Give reason to explain why clf3 exists but fcl3 does not exist.
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There are particularly two reasons:
Cl is a big atom and F is small. So while Cl can hold 3 F atoms but F cannot do the same.
Cl has d orbitals while F does not. Note that all halogens have p-5 configuration so for higher valency each atom should unpair its paired electrons and promote it to d orbital. In absence of so, F can't show any valency of more than 1 causing non formation of FCl3.
Cl is a big atom and F is small. So while Cl can hold 3 F atoms but F cannot do the same.
Cl has d orbitals while F does not. Note that all halogens have p-5 configuration so for higher valency each atom should unpair its paired electrons and promote it to d orbital. In absence of so, F can't show any valency of more than 1 causing non formation of FCl3.
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