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Account for the following observations:
(i) AlCl_{3} is a Lewis acid
(ii) Though fluorine is more electronegative than chlorine yet BF_3 is a weaker Lewis acid than BCl_{3}
(iii) PbO_{2} is a stronger oxidising agent than SnO_{2}
(iv) The +1 oxidation state of thallium is more stable than its +3 state.

Answers (1)

(i) To complete the octet, it accepts electrons and thus acts as a Lewis Acid.

(ii) Boron’s vacant p orbital is not utilized and thus forms back bonding which is strong in F. The increasing atomic size decreases the strength of this bond, and thus Boron is completed using this bond

(iii)The inert pair effect is responsible, which increases in a group and Pb experiences this effect strongly and is an oxidizing agent.

(iv)The inert pair effect causes the strengthening of the oxidation state.

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