What is the shape and hybridization of PCl3 molecule?

PCl₃ molecule has a pyramidal shape in which phosphorus is sp₃ hybridized.

Explanation

Phosphorus trichloride is made up of one Phosphorus atom and three Chlorine atoms, having a chemical formula of PCl3. It is a volatile liquid that reacts with water and releases HCl gas. Phosphorus Trichloride (PCl3) has a total of 26 valence electrons.

• Phosphorus’s electronic configuration in its ground state is 1s² 2s² 2p6 3s² 3p² as the total number of valence electrons is 5.
• When it is in an excited state, one of the electrons in the s-orbital moves to the d-orbital, and the valence electrons of p orbitals get unpaired to move to the higher orbitals.
• The electronic configuration of the Phosphorus atom in the excited state is 1s² 2s² 2p6 3s²3px1 3py1 3pz1.
• During bond formation, the electrons get paired up with the unpaired valence electrons.
• The other two valence electrons that don’t participate in bond formation move to another hybrid orbital.
• So as four hybrid orbitals are formed, the hybridization of PCl3 is sp³.