Question

What is the hybridization of ${\mathrm{PCl}}_5$?

Answer 1

1. The atomic number of Phosphorus is 15.
2. The electronic configuration of Phosphorus $\left(\mathrm{P}\right)$is$1{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{p}}^{6}3{\mathrm{s}}^{2}3{\mathrm{p}}^3$.
3. The central atom ${\mathrm{PCl}}_5$ is Phosphorus

Formula used $\mathrm{Steric}\mathrm{number}=\mathrm{Lone}\mathrm{pair}+\mathrm{bond}\mathrm{pair}\left(\mathrm{\sigma }\right)$

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{lone}\mathrm{pair}=\mathrm{Zero} \\ \mathrm{bond}\mathrm{pair}=5 \\ \mathrm{Step}1-\mathrm{Steric}\mathrm{number}=\mathrm{Lone}\mathrm{pair}+\mathrm{bond}\mathrm{pair}\left(\mathrm{\sigma }\right) \\ \mathrm{Step}2-\mathrm{Steric}\mathrm{number}=0+5 \\ \mathrm{steric}\mathrm{number}=5 \end{gathered}$$

Thus the hybridization of ${\mathrm{PCl}}_5$ is ${\mathrm{sp}}^3\mathrm{d}$and the shape of the molecule is trigonal bipyramidal.