Question

Question 36

Explain why $PC{l}_5$ is trigonal bipyramidal whereas $I{F}_5$ is square pyramidal.

Answer 1

$PC{l}_5$ - the ground state and the excited state outer electronic configurations of phosphorus (Z = 15) are represented below

In $PC{l}_5$, P is $s{p}^{3}d$ hybridised, therefore, its shape is trigonal bipyramidal.

$I{F}_5$- The ground state and the excited state outer electronic configurations of iodine (Z = 53) are represented below.

In $I{F}_5,Iiss{p}^3{d}^2$ hybridised, therefore, the shape of $I{F}_5$ is Square pyramidal.