Question

Discuss the structure of PCl₅.

Answer 1

Phosphorus pentachloride (PCl₅) is the most important pentahalide that is produced by group 15 elements. As seen in the figure, it features a trigonal bipyramidal structure. It contains a phosphorus atom in the middle that is sp³d-hybridized. When heated, PCl₅ changes into PCl₃, which is thermally more stable.