Chemistry - CHEMICAL BONDING Question with Solution | TestHub

Question Explanation:

Hybridization of phosphorus in the solid state cationic part of ${\mathrm{PCl}}_5$.

Concept:

Solid State Structure of Phosphorus Halides.

Solution:

Solid ${\mathrm{PCl}}_5$ exists as an ionic compound composed of ${\left[{\mathrm{PCl}}_4\right]}^{+}$(cation) and ${\left[{\mathrm{PCl}}_6\right]}^{-}$(anion). The phosphorus in the cationic part ${\left[{\mathrm{PCl}}_4\right]}^{+}$is surrounded by 4 bonding pairs and 0 lone pairs.

For ${\left[{\mathrm{PCl}}_4\right]}^{+}$, Steric Number $=4(\sigma$ bonds $)+0($ lone pairs $)=4$.

Steric number 4 corresponds to ${\mathrm{sp}}^3$ hybridization.

Final Answer: Option (c)