Question

Question: Why does hydration inactivates FeBr₃ ?

Short answer

The hydrated ferric bromide accepted a lone pair of electrons from the water, and they cannot accept more lone pair electrons from other atoms.

Step-by-step solution

Hydration

The hydration is a process which involves the addition of water. The reaction of hydration involves the donation of lone pair of electrons from the oxygen atom of water.

Explanation

The ferric bromide, FeBr₃ is a lewis acid and can accept electrons. When the ferric bromide is exposed to air, it rapidly undergoes a reaction with water or moisture.

The adduct formed is shown below.

This occurs by accepting a lone pair of electrons from the water molecule, and hence it cannot further take any lone electron pairs to activate bromine as a nucleophile.

Therefore, the hydration inactivates the ferric bromide.