Question

Explain hybridization of central atom in $PC{l}_5$.

Answer 1

The hybridization of the central atom can be calculated by the sum of sigma bond formed and the number of lone pair. In $P$, there are 5 valence electron in which all the 5 electrons are bonding with $5F$ atoms forming 5 sigma bonds. Therefore the steric number 5 denotes $s{p}^{3}d$ hybridization in which three hybrid orbitals are equatorial and two are in axial direction.