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.