Hypervalent and hypovalent compounds are inorganic covalent compounds containing a central atom. The main difference between these two types of compounds lies in the number of electrons in the valence shell of the central atom.
Hypervalent Compounds:
- Contain a central atom with more than eight electrons in the valence shell.
- The central atom exceeds the octet rule, which states that an atom can have a maximum of eight electrons in its valence shell.
- Hypervalent compounds can exhibit complex structures, such as tetrahedrons or trigonal bipyramids.
- Most hypervalent compounds are ionic species.
Hypovalent Compounds:
- Contain a central atom with less than eight electrons in the valence shell.
- The central atom does not follow the octet rule.
- Hypovalent compounds usually have simpler structures, such as linear or trigonal planar shapes.
- Almost all hypovalent compounds are covalent compounds.
Some examples of hypovalent compounds include BeCl2, BF3, and BCl3. Examples of hypervalent compounds can be found in options A, C, and D of the given question, where the central atoms (Cl, B, and S) have more than eight electrons in their valence shells.
Comparative Table: Hypervalent vs Hypovalent Compounds
| Property | Hypervalent Compounds | Hypovalent Compounds |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Inorganic covalent compounds containing a central atom with more than eight electrons. | Inorganic covalent compounds containing a central atom with less than eight electrons. |
| Electronic Structure | Central atom bears more than four single covalent bonds. | Central atom bears four or fewer single covalent bonds. |
| Complexity of Compounds | Hypovalent compounds are either linear or trigonal planar, while hypervalent compounds can form more complex structures. | Hypovalent compounds are either linear or trigonal planar. |
| Ionic or Non-ionic | Almost all hypovalent compounds are non-ionic, while hypervalent compounds can be both ionic and non-ionic. | Almost all hypovalent compounds are non-ionic, while hypervalent compounds can be both ionic and non-ionic. |
Examples of hypervalent compounds include sulfur hexafluoride and phosphorus pentachloride. Hypovalent compounds, on the other hand, are mostly powder or granular compounds.
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- Hypervalent vs Hypovalent Compounds
- Ionic vs Covalent Compounds
- Polyatomic Ions vs Compounds
- Electrovalent vs Covalent Bond
- Ionic vs Molecular Compounds
- Homocyclic vs Heterocyclic Compounds
- Ionic vs Binary Compounds
- Elements vs Compounds
- Electrovalency vs Covalency
- Molecules vs Compounds
- Element vs Compound
- Atom vs Compound
- Valency vs Valence Electrons
- Halogens vs Halides
- Ionic Covalent vs Metallic Hydrides
- Monovalent vs Divalent
- Ionic vs Covalent Bonds
- Homonuclear vs Heteronuclear Aromatic Compounds
- Organic Compound vs Inorganic Compound
- Primary vs Secondary Valency