Home › NEET UG › Chemistry › Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure › In PCl₅, the axial P–Cl bonds are slightly *long…
In PCl₅, the axial P–Cl bonds are slightly *longer* than the equatorial ones because:
AAxial bonds use more d-character
BCl atoms in axial positions are larger
CEach axial bond pair experiences greater repulsion (three equatorial bp at 90°) than each equatorial bond pair (two axial bp at 90°)
DEquatorial bonds are π bonds
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Each axial bond pair experiences greater repulsion (three equatorial bp at 90°) than each equatorial bond pair (two axial bp at 90°)
Axial bonds suffer **three 90° bp–bp repulsions** with the equatorial pairs; equatorial bonds face only two 90° repulsions with axial. Greater repulsion stretches the axial bonds, making them longer and weaker — which makes PCl₅ kinetically reactive.
Related questions
Among the following, the molecule with a zero dipole moment despite polar bonds is:In a coordinate (dative) bond, the shared pair of electrons:The shape of SF₆ is:Which of the following diatomic species is paramagnetic in its ground state?Among N₂, O₂, F₂ and Ne₂, the molecule with the highest bond order is:Bond order in molecular orbital theory is defined as:A hydrogen bond is best described as the attraction between H attached to a highly electroThe maximum number of bonds an oxygen atom can normally form is: