Amongst LiCl, RbCl, BeCl2, MgCl2, the compounds with greatest and least ionic character respectively — s Block Elements Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: According to Fajans' rules, ionic character increases with increasing cation size and decreasing cation charge. Step 2: Comparing the cations (Rb+, Li+, Mg^2+, Be^2+): Rb+ has the largest size and lowest charge (+1), giving RbCl the greatest ionic character. Be^2+ is extremely small and has a +2 charge, giving it the highest polarizing power and making BeCl2 highly covalent (least ionic character). Step 3: Therefore, the compounds with the greatest and least ionic characters are RbCl and BeCl2 respectively, corresponding to option (b).