Question

In solid state ${\mathrm{PCl}}_5$is a?

Answer 1

${\mathrm{PCl}}_5$in the solid-state:

• In solid-state ${\mathrm{PCl}}_5$mostly exist as oppositely charged ions like${\mathrm{PCl}}^{4+}$and ${\mathrm{PCl}}^{6-}$,as the ionic bonding helps in enhancing the crystalline nature.
• Here, the ${\mathrm{PCl}}^{4+}$has a tetrahedral geometry, while ${\mathrm{PCl}}^{6-}$exists in the octahedral geometry.
• Both the structures fit well into each other which gives more stability to the solid structure.
• The structures for both the charged ions can be shown as;

• The structure of ${\mathrm{PCl}}_5$is:

Hence, in solid-state ${\mathrm{PCl}}_5$is an ionic solid exists as the ions ${\mathrm{PCl}}^{6-}$having octahedral and ${\mathrm{PCl}}^{4+}$has tetrahedral geometry.