Question #dd0d4

1 Answer
Ernest Z.
Mar 13, 2017

The hybridization of #"P"# in #"PCl"_5# is #"sp"^3"d"#.

Explanation:

The Lewis structure of #"PCl"_5# is

Lewis structure

According to VSEPR theory, a molecule with five bonding pairs must have both a trigonal bipyramidal electron geometry and molecular geometry.

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The #"P"# atom needs five orbitals to form the five #"P-Cl"# bonds.

It has a #"3s"# and three #"3p"# orbitals, so it must use one of its #"3d"# orbitals to form the fifth bond.

These orbitals are hybridized to form five #"sp"^3"d"# orbitals that (surprise!) just happen to point in the right directions to form a trigonal bipyramid.

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