Question

What’s the oxidation number of the phosphorus atom in PCl5

Answer 1

• 5

Step-by-step explanation:

Given compound:
`\sf PCl_5`

We have to find the oxidation state of Phosphorus (P). Let us assume oxidation number of Phosphorus be x.

Oxidation state of Cl (chlorine) is -1 and for five molecules of Cl, oxidation state will be -5.

Now, the sum of oxidation number of both the Phosphorus and chlorine will be equal to zero, i.e Oxidation no. of P + Oxidation number of
`\sf Cl_5` = 0

Plugging the required values,

`\sf x + (-5) = 0`

`\sf x - 5 = 0`

`\sf x = +5`

Therefore, The oxidation number of Phosphorus in
`\sf PCl_5` is +5