When PCl₅solidifies it forms PCl₄⁺ cations and PCl₆^-anions. According to valence bond theory, what hybrid orbitals are used by phosphorus in the PCl₄⁺ cations? A) sp B) sp² C) sp³ D) sp³d E) sp³d²

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Phosphorus in the PClS1U1B14S1U1B0S1U1P1+S1S1P0 cation has a total of four hybrid orbitals due to the bonding with the four surrounding atoms (three chlorine atoms and one phosphorus atom). The central phosphorus atom is sp3 hybridized, meaning it has three hybrid orbitals in the plane of the three chlorine atoms (S1U1P13S1S1P0), and one hybrid orbital perpendicular to that plane (S1U1P0).

When PCl5 solidifies It Forms PCl4+ Cations and PCl6- anions

When PCl₅solidifies It Forms PCl₄⁺ Cations and PCl₆^-anions