Among the hydrogen halides has maximum ionic character.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: HF (hydrogen fluoride) has the maximum ionic character among the hydrogen halides.

Step by step solution

01

List hydrogen halides

List the hydrogen halides (HX) where X represents one of the halogens: HF, HCl, HBr, and HI.
02

Assess electronegativity differences

Calculate the electronegativity difference between hydrogen (H) and each halogen (X). The electronegativity values are as follows: H (2.20), F (3.98), Cl (3.16), Br (2.96), and I (2.66). Electronegativity difference (ΔEN) = |Electronegativity of halogen - Electronegativity of hydrogen|. For each hydrogen halide: - HF: ΔEN = |3.98 - 2.20| = 1.78 - HCl: ΔEN = |3.16 - 2.20| = 0.96 - HBr: ΔEN = |2.96 - 2.20| = 0.76 - HI: ΔEN = |2.66 - 2.20| = 0.46
03

Examine ionic character based on electronegativity differences

A larger electronegativity difference indicates a higher ionic character. Among the mentioned hydrogen halides, HF has the highest electronegativity difference (1.78), followed by HCl, HBr, and HI.
04

Consider ionic radii

The ionic character also depends on the size of the halide ion; smaller ions have a greater ionic character. The ionic radii are as follows: F- (133 pm), Cl- (181 pm), Br- (196 pm), and I- (220 pm).
05

Conclusion

Based on the electronegativity difference and ionic radii, HF has the maximum ionic character among the hydrogen halides because it has the highest electronegativity difference and the smallest ionic radius.

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