Question

Solid $ PCl_5 $ exists as

• A. $ PCl_{4}^{+} $
• B. $ PCl_{5} $
• C. $ PCl_{4}^{+} $ and $ PCl_{6}^{-} $
• D. $ PCl_{6}^{-} $

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

$X$-ray studies have been shown solid $PCl_5$ is a salt containing tetrahedral cation, $[PCl_6]^+$ and octahedral anion, $[PCl_6]^-$.

In vapour phase, $PCl_5$ exists having a trigonal bipyramid shape.