Question
Electropositive character for the elements of group 13 follows the order
A.
$$B > Al > Ga > In > Tl$$
B.
$$B < Al < Ga < In < Tl$$
C.
$$B < Al > Ga < In > Tl$$
D.
$$B < Al > Ga > In > Tl$$
Answer :
$$B < Al > Ga > In > Tl$$
Solution :
As we move from $$B$$ to $$Al,$$ the sum of $${\Delta _i}{H_1} + {\Delta _i}{H_2} + {\Delta _i}{H_3}$$ decreases substantially $$\left( {6887\,kJ\,mo{l^{ - 1}}\,{\text{to}}\,5137\,kJ\,mo{l^{ - 1}}} \right)$$ due to increase in the atomic size and hence $$Al$$ has a high tendency to lose electrons. Since the electrode potentials $$E_{\frac{{{M^{3 + }}}}{M}}^ \circ $$ increase from $$Al$$ to $$Tl,$$ therefore, their electropositive character decreases, i.e., $$Al\left( { - 1.66\,V} \right)$$ to $$Ga\left( { - 0.56\,V} \right)$$ to $$In\left( { - 0.34\,V} \right)$$ to $$Tl\left( { + 1.26\,V} \right)$$ accordingly.