Ncert Exercises & Solutions

In solid-state, PCl₅ exists as:

1.	Covalent solid.
2.	Octahedral structure.
3.	Ionic solid with [PCl₆]⁺ octahedral and [PCl₄]^- tetrahedral.
4.	Ionic solid with [PCl₄]⁺ tetrahedral and [PCl₆]^- octahedral.

HINT:

{PCl}_{5}

generates ions in solid form.

Explanation:

STEP 1: In solid state

{PCl}_{5}

exists as an ionic solid with

{[{PCl}_{4}]}^{+}

tetrahedral and

{[{PCl}_{6}]}^{-}

octahedral.

In solid state, PCl₅ prefer to exist as oppositely charged ions like

{[{PCl}_{4}]}^{+}

and

{[{PCl}_{6}]}^{-}

as the ionic bonding enhances the crystalline nature .

STEP 2: The attractive forces in an ionic crystal are much greater than the dipole-dipole or dispersion in crystals of covalent substances.