Question

Why is PCl5 more covalent than PCl3?

Answer 1

PCl5 is a non-polar covalent molecule because individual dipole moments of P-Cl bond cancel out each other but PCl3 is a polar covalent molecule. Therefore, PCl5 is more covalent than PCl3.

Answer 2

$PCl_5$ is more covalent than $PCl_3$ because the former is in +5 oxidation state whereas the latter is in +3 oxidation state.

Explanation:

• The polarizing power of the compound is highly dependent upon the oxidation state of the central metal atom.
• If the oxidation state is high, the polarizing power is high which in turn accounts for more covalent bond character between the surrounding atoms and the central atoms.
• In the case of two compounds called $PCl_5$ and $PCl_3$, the central atom is phosphorous and oxidation state of it in the former is +5 whereas in the latter is +3.
• Due to this reason, $PCl_5$ is more covalent than $PCl_3$.

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