Question

Will the reaction `AlBr_3 + F_2` occur?

Answer 1

Yes.

Explanation:

This is a single replacement reaction involving halogens (group 17/VIIA) instead of metals.

`color(red)"A"color(blue)"X" + color(green)"Y"` `rarr` `color(red)"A"color(green)"Y" + color(blue)"X"`,

where `color(blue)"X"` and `color(green)"Y"` are halogens.

Bromine and fluorine are halogens. The reactivity of the elements in the halogen group decreases down the group, with fluorine the most reactive and iodine the least reactive. Since fluorine is above bromine in the group, it will replace the bromine in the aluminum bromide compound.

`"2AlBr"_3 + "3F"_2"` `rarr` `2"AlF"_3 + "3Br"_2"`

Note: The last element in the halogen group is astatine, which is radioactive, with its longest half-life 8.1 hours, so all of its properties are not known.