What is the hybridization and molecular geometry of Phosphorus Pentachloride (PCl5) in the gas phase? (Hard)
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. sp^3d, trigonal bipyramidal
- Step 1: Phosphorus in PCl5 has 5 bond pairs and zero lone pairs (steric number 5). Step 2. Hybridization is sp^3d, yielding a trigonal bipyramidal geometry with 3 equatorial bonds (120 deg) and 2 axial bonds (90 deg to equatorial). Answer: sp^3d, trigonal bipyramidal. Why not the others: sp^3d^2 octahedral is SF6; sp^3 tetrahedral is CCl4; dsp^2 square planar is [PtCl4]2-.
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