Question

$S{F_6}$ Is inert towards hydrolysis. Explain.

Answer 1

Hint: The inertness of $S{F_6}$ is toward hydrolysis, this could be explain on the basis of sterically hindrance, that is fluorine atom hindered the attack of oxygen atom toward sulphur atom and the stability of $S - F$ bond.

Complete step by step answer:
$S{F_6}$ is chemically inert. In $S{F_6}$ the fluorine atoms attached to the sulphur atom which is sterically act as a shield, and that’s why $S{F_6}$ is chemically inert towards hydrolysis because of repulsion between lone pair of oxygen in water and the lone pair of fluorine, However the stability of the molecules is high $S - F$ bond strength is very high.

Additional Information:
 Sulphur hexafluoride is an extremely potent and persistent man-made greenhouse gas. $S{F_6}$ has an octahedral geometry, consisting of six fluorine atoms attached to a central sulfur atom. It is a hypervalent molecule. The hybridization of sulfur hexafluoride is ${d^2}s{p^3}$ , it is chemically inert toward hydrolysis and thermodynamically stable.
Uses of \[S{F_6}\] (Sulphur hexafluoride):
Dielectric medium: It is used in the electric industry as a gaseous dielectric medium for high voltage circuit breakers, switchgear and other electrical equipment.
Medical use: It is used to provide a plug of a retinal hole in retinal detachment repair operation in the form of a gas bubble. It is used as a contrast agent for ultrasound imaging.
$S{F_6}$ Plasma is also used in the semiconductor industry as an etchant, the magnesium industry uses large amounts of $S{F_6}$ as inert gas to fill casting forms.

Note:
It is to be noted that the inertness of $S{F_6}$ molecules mainly depend on the following factor such as steric hindrance, the stability of sulfur-fluorine bond and also absence of vacant $d - $ orbital in the fluorine atom.