Question

why PCl5 is more covalent than PCl3

Answer 1

Hey !!

The oxidation state of P in PCl₅ is +5 and that in PCl₃ is +3. Since elements in the +5 oxidation state have less tendency to lose electrons than in the +3 oxidation state, therefore, P in the +5 oxidation state has more tendency to share its electrons with Cl than in the +3 oxidation state. Thus, PCl₅ is more covalent than PCl₃.

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