Question

In solid state $PCl_5$ is a _______.

• A. covalent solid
• B. octahedral structure
• C. ionic solid with $[PCl_6]^+$ octahedral and $[PCl_4]^-$ tetrahedral
• D. ionic solid with $[PCl_4]^+$ tetrahedral and $[PCl_6]^-$ octahedral

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

ionic solid with $[PCl_4]^+$ tetrahedral and $[PCl_6]^-$ octahedral

Answer 2

In solid state $PCl _{5}$ tries to exist as oppositely charged ions like (1) $PCl _{4}^{+}$ and $(2) PCl _{6}^{-}$ as the ionic bonding enhances the crystalline nature. also $P Cl _{4}^{+}$ is tetrahedral, while $PCl _{6}^{-}$ is octahedral these structure fit well into each other which gives more stability to solid structure. Hence option D is correct.