Question

PCl_5 has ____ electron domains and a ____ molecular arrangement.

A) 6, trigonal bipyramidal B) 6, tetrahedral C) 5, trigonal bipyramidal D) 6, seesaw E) 5, square

Answer 1

PCl5 has 5 electron domains and a trigonal bipyramidal molecular arrangement.

Step-by-step explanation:

The number of electron domains refers to the number of pairs of electrons around the central atom in a molecule. In the case of PCl5, the central atom is phosphorus, which has 5 chlorine atoms bonded to it. Each chlorine atom has one lone pair of electrons, for a total of 5 pairs of electrons around the phosphorus atom. In addition, phosphorus has one lone pair of electrons, bringing the total number of electron domains to 5.

The molecular arrangement of PCl5 is trigonal bipyramidal, which means that the molecule is shaped like two pyramids joined at their bases. The base of each pyramid consists of three chlorine atoms, and the top of each pyramid is occupied by a lone pair of electrons on the phosphorus atom. The trigonal bipyramidal shape results from the fact that phosphorus has 5 bonds and one lone pair of electrons.

I hope this correct information helps to clarify the electron domains and molecular arrangement of PCl5. Please let me know if you have any other questions.