Question

\(\mathrm{BCl}_{3}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \stackrel{\mathrm{x}}{\longrightarrow}\) The products formed in this reaction are: (a) \(\mathrm{B}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}+\mathrm{HCl}\) (b) \(\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{BO}_{3}+\mathrm{HClO}_{4}\) (c) \(\mathrm{B}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}+\mathrm{HOCl}\) (d) \(\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{BO}_{3}+\mathrm{HCl}\)

Short answer

Option (d) is correct: \(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{BO}_{3} + \mathrm{HCl}\).

Step-by-step solution

Identify Reactants

The reactants in this problem are boron trichloride (\(\mathrm{BCl}_{3}\)) and water (\(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}\)). We're tasked with determining the products when these two react.

Understand Boron Trichloride Hydrolysis

When \(\mathrm{BCl}_{3}\) reacts with water, it undergoes hydrolysis. This means it will react with water to form boric acid \(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{BO}_{3}\) and hydrochloric acid \(\mathrm{HCl}\). The general reaction is: \(\mathrm{BCl}_{3} + 3\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} \rightarrow \mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{BO}_{3} + 3\mathrm{HCl}\).

Match Reaction with Options

Now, compare the products \(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{BO}_{3}\) and \(\mathrm{HCl}\) with the given options. Option (d) shows these exact products: \(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{BO}_{3} + \mathrm{HCl}\).

Key concepts

Chemical Reactions

In the study of chemistry, chemical reactions are fundamental processes where substances, called reactants, transform into different substances, known as products. A key aspect of understanding these reactions involves identifying how the rearrangement of atoms occurs between reactants and products.
In the case of boron trichloride hydrolysis, boron trichloride (\( \mathrm{BCl}_{3} \)) reacts with water (\( \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} \)). During this reaction, bonds between the chlorine atoms and boron are broken, and new bonds are formed between boron, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms. This results in the creation of boric acid (\( \mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{BO}_{3} \)) and hydrochloric acid (\( \mathrm{HCl} \)).
Understanding this chemical reaction requires knowledge of bond breaking and synthesis of new compounds. Here’s a simple explanation of this process:

• Old bonds existing between boron and chlorine are broken due to the reaction with water.
• New bonds are created, forming a different compound with new chemical properties.
• This process changes the energy status of the involved molecules, often releasing or absorbing energy as heat.

Understanding these principles helps students predict and balance chemical equations effectively.

Inorganic Chemistry

Inorganic chemistry deals with a wide array of chemical compounds outside the realm of organic carbon-based compounds. It encompasses an extensive range of elements and their complex reactions. Boron trichloride (\( \mathrm{BCl}_{3} \)) is an example of an inorganic compound due to its non-carbon nature.
Boron trichloride is a colorless gas at room temperature and is often used in inorganic synthesis and processing of metals. Its reaction with water is a classic case in inorganic chemistry demonstrating hydrolysis:

• It is critical to understand the unique properties of inorganic compounds, like how non-metals like boron can form multiple types of oxides.
• Learning these characteristics can illuminate why compounds like \( \mathrm{BCl}_{3} \) undergo certain reactions and predict their behavior in different environments.

Inorganic chemistry also explores these reaction mechanisms to study the electronic structures and behavior of materials, which is pivotal for industrial and laboratory applications.

Hydrolysis Process

Hydrolysis is a specific type of chemical reaction where water is used to break down the bonds of a particular substance. This process is common in both organic and inorganic chemistry.
The hydrolysis of boron trichloride (\( \mathrm{BCl}_{3} \)) is a simple yet illustrative example of an acid-base hydrolysis mechanism. When \( \mathrm{BCl}_{3} \) is exposed to water:

• Water molecules facilitate the breaking of the chlorine-boron bonds.
• The reaction leads to the formation of hydroxyl groups (\( \mathrm{OH}^- \)) joining with the boron, resulting in boric acid (\( \mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{BO}_{3} \)).
• Simultaneously, hydrochloric acid (\( \mathrm{HCl} \)) is formed as chlorine combines with hydrogen ions from water.

This transformation is critical as it converts a compound into more stable, often less reactive products.
Hydrolysis plays a crucial role in everyday chemical processes and industrial applications, such as the treatment of water and manufacturing of products. This knowledge helps in understanding not just the reaction of \( \mathrm{BCl}_{3} \) with water, but a wide array of similar hydrolysis reactions.