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Would you predict that the structure of NCl₃ is similar to the structure of PCl₃?

User Windchime
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Final answer:

The structure of NCl₃ is indeed predicted to be similar to PCl₃ as both are Group 15 elements with three single bonds to chlorine and one lone pair, following the octet rule and leading to a trigonal pyramidal geometry.

Step-by-step explanation:

The structure of NCl₃ is predicted to be similar to that of PCl₃ because both nitrogen and phosphorus are in the same group in the periodic table (Group 15), which means they have similar electron configurations and bonding patterns. In NCl₃, the central nitrogen atom forms three single bonds with chlorine atoms and has one lone pair, following the octet rule. Similarly, PCl₃ has the central phosphorus atom bonded to three chlorine atoms, also following the octet rule and leading to a trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry, which is the predicted shape for NCl₃ as well. This also agrees with VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory which predicts that the molecular geometry will adjust to minimize the repulsion between electron pairs around the central atom.

User Shehbaz Jaffer
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