Question

What are the products formed when chlorine reacts with (i) aluminium (ii) zinc (iii) iron

Short answer

Answer: When chlorine reacts with these metals, the products formed are aluminum chloride (AlCl3), zinc chloride (ZnCl2), and either iron(II) chloride (FeCl2) or iron(III) chloride (FeCl3).

Step-by-step solution

Identify the valencies of the elements involved

In each case, we have a reaction between chlorine (a non-metal) and a metal (aluminum, zinc, or iron). The valencies of metals are typically positive, while those of non-metals are negative. Chlorine (Cl) generally has a valency of -1, as it is in group 17 of the periodic table. Aluminum (Al) has a valency of +3, as it is in group 13. Zinc (Zn) has a valency of +2, as it is in group 12. Iron (Fe) can have either +2 or +3 valency, as it is a transition element. We will consider both possibilities and write the balanced equations accordingly.

Write balanced chemical equations for the reactions

(i) Reaction between chlorine and aluminum: The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is: \[2Al + 3Cl_{2} \rightarrow 2AlCl_{3}\] Aluminum reacts with chlorine to form aluminum chloride (AlCl3). (ii) Reaction between chlorine and zinc: The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is: \[Zn + 2Cl_{2} \rightarrow ZnCl_{2}\] Zinc reacts with chlorine to form zinc chloride (ZnCl2). (iii) Reaction between chlorine and iron: For iron(II) or Fe(II), the balanced chemical equation is: \[Fe + 2Cl_{2} \rightarrow FeCl_{2}\] Iron(II) reacts with chlorine to form iron(II) chloride (FeCl2). For iron(III) or Fe(III), the balanced chemical equation is: \[2Fe + 3Cl_{2} \rightarrow 2FeCl_{3}\] Iron(III) reacts with chlorine to form iron(III) chloride (FeCl3).