How is `ClF_(3)` prepared ? How does it react with water ? Explain its structure.

Explanation

Preparation of `ClF_(3)` : Chlorine reacts with excess of fluorine to form `ClF_(3)`.
`underset(("Excess"))(Cl_(2)+3F_(2))overset("573 K")to2" ClF"_(3)`
Reaction with `H_(2)O` : `ClF_(3)` reacts with water explosively and oxidises water to give oxygen or in controlled quantities oxygen diflouride `(OF_(2))` as well as HF and HCl.
`ClF_(3)+2" H"_(2)O to3" HF"+HCl+O_(2)`
`ClF_(3)+H_(2)O to HF+HCl+OF_(2)`
Structure of `ClF_(3)` :
`to` Central atom in `ClF_(3)` is 'Cl'
`to` Excited state electronic configuration of 'Cl' is

`to` Cl' atom undergoes `sp^(3)d` hybridisation
`to` It is a bent T-shaped molecule (or) trigonal bipyramidal with 2 - positions occupied by lone pairs.