Although electron gain enthalpy of fluorine is less negative as compared to chlorine, fluorine is a stronger oxidizing agent than chlorine. Why?

Although electron gain enthalpy of fluorine is less negative as compar

1.	Although electron gain enthalpy of fluorine is less negative as compared to chlorine, fluorine is a stronger oxidizing agent than chlorine. Why?
Answer» Solution :The.oxdising capability of a substance can be determined by its electrode potential Higher the electrode potential, stronger is the oxidizing agent. The electrode potential, in TURN, depends upon the following three factors: (i) Bond dissociation enthalpy (ii) Electron gain enthalpy and (ii) HYDRATION energy. ALTHOUGH electron gain enthalpy of FLUORINE is less negative than that of chlorin e but (a) enthalpy of dissociation of F-F bond is lower than that of CI-Cl bond, and (6) Hydration enthalpy of Fion is higher than that of Crion. Because of these two REASON, electrode potential of `F_(2)` (+ 2.87 V) is much higher than that of `Cl_(2)` (+ 1.36 V) and hence `F_(2)` is a stronger oxidizing agent than `Cl_(2)`.