What is the hybridization of the phosphorus atom in PCl5?

What is the hybridization of the phosphorus atom in PCl5?

Correct Answer: d2sp3

Step 1: Identify the central atom in PCl5, which is phosphorus (P).
Step 2: Count the number of chlorine (Cl) atoms bonded to phosphorus. There are 5 Cl atoms.
Step 3: Determine the number of electron pairs around phosphorus. Each Cl atom forms one bond, so there are 5 bonding pairs.
Step 4: Recognize that phosphorus can use its d orbitals for hybridization because it is in the third period of the periodic table.
Step 5: Combine the bonding pairs with the available orbitals: 1 s orbital, 3 p orbitals, and 2 d orbitals (d2sp3).
Step 6: Conclude that the hybridization of phosphorus in PCl5 is d2sp3.

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