A number of salts containing the tetrahedral polyatomic anion, BF₄^-, are ionic liquids, whereas salts containing the somewhat larger tetrahedral ion SO₄^2- do not form ionic liquids. Explain this observation.

Video transcript

Hey everyone, we're asked why can tetrachloride illuminate A tetrahedron poly atomic an ion form ionic liquids. But cell innate a larger tetrahedron poly atomic, an ion cannot. So looking at selling it, we have that negative two charge. And because we have that -2 charge, we have greater ion ion attractions. And these strong forces limit our ion ability and this ion ability is required for the formation of an ionic liquid. And this is called the electronic effect. So the reason why tetrachloride illuminate can form ionic liquids is because it has weaker ion ion electrostatic attractions. And this is going to be our final answer. So I hope that made sense. And let us know if you have any questions.