Question

If the correct statement(s) regarding the molecule $P{F}_{2}C{l}_3$ will be:

• A. The two $F$ atoms are at ${180}^{\circ }$ with respect to each other
• B. Maximum 4 atoms are present in the same plane
• C. $P-Cl$ bond is longer than $P-F$ bond
• D. The $d-$ orbital of 'P' involved in the formation of $P{F}_{2}C{l}_3$ is $d_{z^2}$

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C), (D)

The correct options are
A The two $F$ atoms are at ${180}^{\circ }$ with respect to each other
B Maximum 4 atoms are present in the same plane
C $P-Cl$ bond is longer than $P-F$ bond
D The $d-$ orbital of 'P' involved in the formation of $P{F}_{2}C{l}_3$ is $d_{z^2}$

Hybridisation of$PC{l}_3{F}_2$ is $s{p}^{3}d$ so the structure would be trigonal bipyramidal. The zero dipole moment suggests the structure as follow:

A) According to Bent's rule the most electronegative elements occupy the axial positions in the trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Hence two F atoms are at ${180}^{\circ }$ with respect to each other.

B) There are a maximum of 4 atoms in the same plane. There are $P$ and 3 equatorial $Cl$ atoms.

C) As size of $Cl$ is greater than the size of $F$, $P-Cl$ bond is longer than $P-F$ bond.

D) In $s{p}^{3}d$ hybridisation, the $d$-orbital involved here is $d_{z^2}$, since it is the lowest energy $d$-orbital.