Question

\(\mathrm{BCl}_{3}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \rightarrow \mathrm{X}\) The products formed in above reaction are (a) \(\mathrm{B}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}+\mathrm{HCl}\) (b) \(\mathrm{B}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}+\mathrm{HOCl}\) (c) \(\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{BO}_{3}+\mathrm{HCl}\) (d) No reaction

Short answer

The products are \( \mathrm{H}_3 \mathrm{BO}_3 + \mathrm{HCl} \); option (c) is correct.

Step-by-step solution

Identify Reaction Type

The given reaction is between boron trichloride (\( \mathrm{BCl}_3 \)) and water (\( \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O} \)). Such a reaction is typically a hydrolysis reaction where \( \mathrm{BCl}_3 \) reacts with water to produce boron compounds and hydrochloric acid.

Determine Hydrolysis Reaction Products

In typical hydrolysis reactions involving boron halides, \( \mathrm{BCl}_3 \) reacts with \( \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O} \) to form boric acid (\( \mathrm{H}_3 \mathrm{BO}_3 \)) and hydrochloric acid (\( \mathrm{HCl} \)). The reaction is: \[ \mathrm{BCl}_3 + 3 \mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O} \rightarrow \mathrm{H}_3 \mathrm{BO}_3 + 3 \mathrm{HCl} \]

Evaluate Reaction Against Given Options

From the given options, (c) \( \mathrm{H}_3 \mathrm{BO}_3 + \mathrm{HCl} \) matches the products formed from the hydrolysis reaction in Step 2.

Key concepts

Boron Trichloride

Boron trichloride, or \( \mathrm{BCl}_3 \), is a chemical compound comprising boron and chlorine atoms. It is a colorless, reactive gas under standard conditions.
This compound is pivotal in industry and research due to its ability to act as a precursor for the synthesis of other chemical substances. Boron trichloride has the following key characteristics:

• It is highly reactive, especially towards water, leading to hydrolysis reactions.
• The molecular geometry of \( \mathrm{BCl}_3 \) is trigonal planar with a bond angle of 120 degrees.
• In hydrolysis reactions, each chlorine atom is replaced by a hydroxyl group (\( \mathrm{OH} \)), resulting in the conversion to boric acid and hydrochloric acid.

In laboratory settings, boron trichloride must be handled with care due to its corrosive nature and reactivity."

Boric Acid

Boric acid, known chemically as \( \mathrm{H}_3 \mathrm{BO}_3 \), is a weak acid derived from boron. It appears as a white or colorless powder and has important uses in several fields.

• In the hydrolysis reaction of \( \mathrm{BCl}_3 \), boric acid is one of the main products, formed when water molecules replace chlorine atoms in boron trichloride.
• This compound has antiseptic, antifungal, and insecticidal properties. As a result, it's often found in household and industrial products.
• Boric acid also plays a role in the glass and porcelain manufacturing industries, benefiting from its ability to enhance thermal resistance.

When dissolved in water, boric acid also forms borate ions, which can interact with other chemical compounds present in a solution."

Hydrochloric Acid

Hydrochloric acid, represented as \( \mathrm{HCl} \), is a strong, corrosive acid existing as a solution in water. It is odorless, having a characteristic, pungent smell at higher concentrations.

• In the context of hydrolysis reactions such as the one involving boron trichloride and water, hydrochloric acid is a resultant product.
• Hydrochloric acid plays a critical role in the digestive process as it constitutes gastric acid in the stomach, aiding in digestion.
• Industrially, it is employed in the production of chlorides, the cleaning of metal surfaces, and as a laboratory reagent.

Care must be taken when working with \( \mathrm{HCl} \) due to its ability to cause burns and its reactivity with other chemicals."