why is ICl more reactive than I2...?
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ICl is more reactive than I2 because interhalogen compounds are more reactive than halogens.
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ICl is a stronger oxidising agent than diatomic I2 as the atomic radius of the Cl atom is smaller than that of the I atom (as there are less electrons and less electron shells, therefore a smaller electron cloud as the decrease in shielding is more significant than the decrease in proton number) meaning that the first electron affinity of Cl is greater than I. This is because when Cl gains an electron it is being added to an orbital at a lower energy level thus the electron loses more energy (so more energy is released in the exothermic first electron affinity) so has a lower intrinsic energy and is closer to the nucleus (as there is less shielding from less full inner electron shells) meaning that there is a stronger electrostatic force of attraction between the outer electron and the nucleus which requires more energy to break down. This means that the product formed (the Cl- ion) is at a lower energy level (compared to, say, the I- ion formed in the first electron affinity of I2) and therefore more stable (therefore Cl-is a weaker reducing agent than I-). This combined with the fact that the overall reaction is more exothermic, meaning that the reaction is more thermodynamically feasible, explains why ICl is more reactive than I2