Question

Hydrolysis of \[NC{{l}_{3}}\] gives \[N{{H}_{3}}\] and X. Which of the following is X?
a.) \[HCl{{O}_{4}}\]
b.) \[HCl{{O}_{3}}\]
c.) HOCl
d.) \[HCl{{O}_{2}}\]

Answer 1

Hint: Hydrolysis is the process of using water to break down a molecule into two parts. The prefix 'hydro-' means water, while the suffix '-lysis' means to break down. Hence, if we see the word hydrolysis we can automatically think of the term, 'reaction with water.'

Complete step-by-step answer:
Hydrolysis basically means the act of setting apart chemicals by adding water. The reaction of water with another chemical compound results in the formation of two or more products. When we encounter a hydrolysis reaction, we will see three different types: salt, acid, and base hydrolysis.
The general formula of a hydrolysis reaction is:
\[AB+{{H}_{2}}O\to AH+BOH\]
Now, our question is about hydrolysis of $NCl_3$ or Nitrogen trichloride. So, hydrolysis of this means we have to react with water. But, we have to note that nitrogen trichloride hydrolysis is done by hot water. Reaction will be as follows:
\[NC{{l}_{3}}\text{ }+3{{H}_{2}}O\to N{{H}_{3}}+3HOCl\]
So, nitrogen trichloride is hydrolysed by hot water to give ammonia and hypochlorous acid.
So, from above discussion and by observing reaction we came to know that hydrolysis of nitrogen trichloride gives ammonia and hypochlorous acid. Our correct answer is option C.

Additional information:
We should know about one interesting difference between hydrolysis of \[NC{{l}_{3}}\] and \[PC{{l}_{3}}\].
We should know that in \[NC{{l}_{3}}\], nitrogen and chlorine have similar electronegativity resulting in non-polar bonds. Nitrogen doesn’t have empty d-orbitals so the hydrolysis takes place with the donation of lone pairs of electrons by nitrogen to the hydrogen atom of water.
\[NC{{l}_{3}}\text{ }+3{{H}_{2}}O\to N{{H}_{3}}+3HOCl\]
And in $PCl_3$, phosphorus is less electronegative than chlorine, so they form a polar bond. So, now we should know that positive polar charge on phosphorus attacks the lone pair of electrons on water molecules to give different products.
\[PC{{l}_{3}}+\text{ }3{{H}_{2}}O\text{ }\to \text{ }{{H}_{3}}P{{O}_{3}}+\text{ }3HCl\]


Note: We should also know about the types of hydrolysis:
Salts: This is the most common type of hydrolysis. Hydrolysis of salts generally refers to the reaction of salt with water where it involves the interaction between cations or anions of salts and water. During hydrolysis, a salt breaks down to form ions, completely or partially depending upon the solubility factor.
Acid and Base: We should know that acid–base-catalysed hydrolysis can be found during the hydrolysis of esters or amides. Here, the process of hydrolysis occurs when water or hydroxyl ion reacts with the carbon of the carbonyl group of the ester or amide where new compounds are formed. The products for both hydrolysis are compounds with carboxylic acid groups.