The geometrical shape of PCl5 is:
Correct answer: D. Trigonal bipyramidal
- A. Octahedral
- B. Square planar
- C. Tetrahedral
- D. Trigonal bipyramidal
Explanation
In PCl5, phosphorus pentachloride, the central phosphorus atom is surrounded by five chlorine atoms. These five electron pairs arrange themselves in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry. However, one of the positions is occupied by a lone pair of electrons on the phosphorus atom, resulting in a distorted geometry. This lone pair reduces the bond angle from the ideal 120 degrees in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry to around 109.5 degrees, typical of a tetrahedral arrangement.
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About Transition Elements
Transition elements are identified by their partially filled d subshells in atoms or common ions. The topic covers the electronic structure of d-block elements, including the filling order of 4s and 3d orbitals, variable oxidation states and the distinction between transition elements and elements with completely filled d subshells.
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