Question

Some of the Group 2 metal halides are covalent and soluble in organic solvents. Among the following metal halides, the one which is soluble in ethanol is
(a) BeCl₂ 
(b) MgCl₂                   
(c) CaCl₂                 
(d) SrCl₂  

Answer 1

According to NCERT, answer is MgCl². (A statement mentioned as a point under the heading "common properties of li and Mg" in the Chapter s-block). But According to NCERT Exemplar, (chapter s-block) answer is BeCl².

Answer 2

Due to small size, high electronegativity and high ionization enthalpy of Be, BeCl₂ is covalent and hence most soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol.