Question

In \[\ce{PCl5}\], phosphorus is in sp³d hybridised state but all its five bonds are not equivalent. Justify your answer with reason.

Answer 1

In \[\ce{PCl5}\], phosphorus undergoes sp³d hybridisation and a trigonal bipyramidal configuration comes into existence.

The equatorial \[\ce{P - Cl}\] bonds are equivalent while two axial bonds are different and larger than equatorial bonds.