Phosphorus pentachloride () exists as a covalent monomer in the gaseous phase. In the solid state, i — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question
Question
Phosphorus pentachloride ($PCl_5$) exists as a covalent monomer in the gaseous phase. In the solid state, it exists as an ionic solid consisting of $PCl_4^+$ and $PCl_6^-$ ions. What are the respective hybridization states of the Phosphorus atom in $PCl_5(g)$, $PCl_4^+(s)$, and $PCl_6^-(s)$?
Answer: A
💡 Solution & Explanation
In gaseous $PCl_5$, Phosphorus forms 5 $\sigma$ bonds with 0 lone pairs ($S.N. = 5$), yielding $sp^3d$ hybridization. In the solid state, $PCl_4^+$ has 4 $\sigma$ bonds ($S.N. = 4$), yielding $sp^3$ (tetrahedral), and $PCl_6^-$ has 6 $\sigma$ bonds ($S.N. = 6$), yielding $sp^3d^2$ (octahedral).
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