Question

Phosphorus trichloride, PCl3, is commonly used in the chemical industry as a source of phosphorus in various reactions. Indicate the electron pair geometry and the molecular geometry of the PCl3 molecule.

Answer 1

Electron pair geometry- tetrahedral

Molecular geometry- Trigonal Pyramidal

Step-by-step explanation:

PCl3 has four electron domains on the outermost shell of the central atom in the molecule. This implies that it has a tetrahedral electron pair geometry according to Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory.

These four electron pairs are composed of three bond pairs and one lone pair. The presence of a lone pair of electrons leads to a trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry due to electron pair repulsions.