Only iodine forms hepta-fluoride IF7, but chlorine and bromine give penta-fluorides. The reason for — p Block Elements Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: The formation of higher interhalogens (like heptafluorides) is sterically governed by the size of the central halogen atom relative to the surrounding fluorine atoms. Step 2: Iodine has a significantly larger covalent radius compared to chlorine and bromine. This larger size allows it to accommodate seven small fluorine atoms around it without excessive steric hindrance, whereas the smaller chlorine and bromine atoms can only accommodate up to five fluorine atoms. Step 3: Therefore, the larger size of the iodine atom is the primary reason why only iodine forms IF7. Thus, the correct option is (c).