Ncert Exercises & Solutions

Explain why PCl₅ is trigonal bipyramidal whereas IF₅ is square pyramidal.

PCl₅-The ground state and the excited state outer electronic configurations of phosphorus (Z=15) are represented below

In PCl₅, P is sp³d hybridised, therefore, its shape is trigonal bipyramidal.

IF₅-The ground state and the excited state outer electronic configurations of iodine (Z=53) are represented below.

In IF₅, I is sp³d² hybridised, therefore, shape of IF₅ is square pyramidal.