Question

The central atom assumes sp³d hybridisation in

• A. BF3
• B. PCl5
• C. IF7
• D. NO3^-

Answer 1

Answer:

B. PCl5

• To find the hybridization of a central atom, we calculate its Steric Number (SN), which is the sum of the number of bonded atoms and the number of lone pairs on the central atom. • Phosphorus (P), which belongs to Group 15 and has 5 valence electrons. • It is bonded to 5 Chlorine atoms. • All 5 electrons are used in bonding, so there are 0 lone pairs. • Steric Number: 5 (bonds) + 0 (lone pairs)}= 5 • A Steric Number of 5 corresponds to sp^3d hybridization. • This results in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry.