Explain why the boiling point of sodium chloride( NaCl) is so much higher than ALCL3 and PCL3 ?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 13, 2017

Consider the molecularity of each material.....

Explanation:

Sodium chloride is a non-molecular material, that consists of an infinite array of positive and negative ions that are held together by STRONG electrostatic forces.

On the other hand, aluminum chloride has some molecularity in that we could assume dimeric units of the form #[Cl_2Al]_2 (mu-Cl)_2#; and in fact you can sublime #"aluminum trichloride"# at low pressure and high temperature.

And #PCl_3# is a discrete MOLECULAR material, which has a normal boiling point of #76.1# #""^@C#.

As a chemist, as a physical scientist, you should supply the boiling points of the other materials....

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