Chapter 19, Problem 19.37SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The ${\text{GeCl}}_{\text{4}}$ reacts with ${\text{Cl}}^{\text{-}}$ to give ${\text{GeCl}}_6^{2-}$, but ${\text{CCl}}_{\text{4}}$ does not react with excess ${\text{Cl}}^{\text{-}}$.  The reason has to be explained.

Concept introduction:

In column the ionic radii or atomic radii is always increases, as the atomic number and the size of the atom gets larger that means number of shells increases $\left(\text{d- orbitals}\right)$

Comparison of Germanium and Carbon:

Germanium d-orbital but the carbon atom does not have d-orbitals.  Germanium bigger size so it can accommodate extra chlorine electron but Carbon is smaller size than germanium

So here the bigger size atom reactivity is more than smaller one.

In period the ionic radii or an atomic radius is always decrease due to the nuclear charge increases.