Anhydrous AlCl3 is covalent however, when it is dissolved in water hydrated ionic species are formed — p Block Elements Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Borax is sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Na2B4O7.10H2O). Step 2: Adding a mineral acid (such as HCl or H2SO4) to an aqueous solution of borax results in an acid-base neutralization reaction: Na2B4O7 + 2HCl + 5H2O -> 2NaCl + 4H3BO3. Step 3: The product H3BO3 is orthoboric acid (also simply called boric acid), which precipitates out of the solution, matching option (b).