[Ter]

SiCl4, in the presence of water, decomposes to form silicon(IV) oxide and hydrogen chloride. What types of bonding occur in SiCl4(l)?

I wrote Van Der waals forces only. I'm unsure though, whether the covalent bonds between Si and Cl break.. but it seems like they do, thus the formation of silicon(IV) oxide and hydrogen chloride. Am I right?

2.) Why is Al2Cl6 simple molecular? Isn't Aluminium a metal( I've read once that Groups 1 to 3 elements are all metals with the exception of boron, which is a metalloid), and thus Al2Cl6 is an ionic compound no? Since simple molecular structures are only for molecules with covently bonded non-metals in them?

Please help.
Thank you!

[Sophia7X]

Bonds have to break first if you're going to form new ones.



Al electronegativity is 1.61, Cl is 3.16. The difference is 1.55, which is just below the 1.7 difference you need to be considered "ionic."