Question

What is the name of the compound that has the formula $PC{l_3}$ ?

Answer 1

The given formula $PC{l_3}$ indicates that this compound is an example of phosphorus trihalides. Also the covalency of phosphorus in trihalides is $3$ . By looking at the formula, we can think that phosphorus is attached to three chlorine atoms.

Complete answer:
We all know that phosphorus forms two halides i.e. phosphorus trihalide $(P{X_3})$ and phosphorus pentahalide $(P{X_5})$ . The covalency of phosphorus in phosphorus trihalide $(P{X_3})$ is $3$ and the covalency of phosphorus in phosphorus pentahalide $(P{X_5})$ is $5$ .
The given formula $PC{l_3}$ indicates that this compound is an example of phosphorus trihalides. The name of the compound with formula $PC{l_3}$ is Phosphorus trichloride. It is one of the common examples of phosphorus trihalide. The hybridization of phosphorus in $PC{l_3}$ is $s{p^3}$ . It has a pyramidal structure. In phosphorus trichloride structure $PC{l_3}$ , three $s{p^3}$ hybrids orbitals of phosphorus overlap with the p- orbitals of the chlorine and form three $P - Cl$ sigma bonds and the fourth $s{p^3}$ hybrid orbital contains lone pairs of electrons.

Additional Information:
Phosphorus trichloride acts as a nucleophile due to the presence of lone pairs of electrons and it also acts as an electrophile due to the presence of empty d-orbital. Phosphorus trichloride generally undergo redox reactions.

Note:
Phosphorus trichloride is a very reactive compound. It is very poisonous and volatile in nature. It is present in a colourless oily liquid state. It has a very pungent odour. It shows an explosion when it reacts with water. It is highly toxic in nature and causes irritation to eyes, skin and respiratory system. It is a very important reagent which is widely used in organic chemistry.