Question

What are the bond angles of a molecule with trigonal bipyramidal geometry?

Answer 1

Trigonal bipyramidal geometry:

• It is a molecular geometry with six atoms, one is present at the centre while the other five atoms form a triangular pyramid.
• The bond angles surrounding the central atoms are not similar.
• Examples of molecules having trigonal bipyramidal geometry are Phosphorus pentachloride $\left({\mathrm{PCl}}_5\right)$ and Phosphorus pentafluoride $\left({\mathrm{PF}}_5\right)$.

Phosphorus pentachloride:

• In Phosphorus pentachloride $\left({\mathrm{PCl}}_5\right)$, the phosphorus atom is shared with three chlorine atoms at ${120}^{\mathrm{o}}$angles to each other while the two more chlorine atoms are placed at ${90}^{\mathrm{o}}$angles above and below the plane.