PCl₅ in gas phase has shape:
AOctahedral
BTetrahedral
CTrigonal bipyramidal (sp³d, 5 bonded F's, no LP)
DSquare pyramidal
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Trigonal bipyramidal (sp³d, 5 bonded F's, no LP)
PCl₅ gas: sp³d hybridization, 5 bond pairs, 0 LP. Trigonal bipyramidal. 3 equatorial Cl-P-Cl bonds at 120°, 2 axial at 90° to equatorial. Solid PCl₅ exists as [PCl₄]⁺[PCl₆]⁻ (ionic).
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