Answer: Trigonal bipyramidal (sp 3 d hybridisation).
- A Trigonal bipyramidal (sp<sup>3</sup>d hybridisation)
- B Octahedral, using sp<sup>3</sup>d<sup>2</sup> hybridisation around phosphorus
- C Square planar, with phosphorus using dsp<sup>2</sup> hybridisation
- D Tetrahedral, using simple sp<sup>3</sup> hybridisation around phosphorus
Correct answer: A. Trigonal bipyramidal (sp<sup>3</sup>d hybridisation)
Explanation: In the gas phase, PCl<sub>5</sub> has sp<sup>3</sup>d hybridisation giving trigonal bipyramidal geometry (3 equatorial + 2 axial bonds).
Xenon tetrafluoride (XeF4) has six electron domains around xenon — four Xe–F bonds plus two lone pairs. The lone pairs occupy opposite axial positions, leaving the four fluorine atoms in a square-planar shape (Xe–F ≈ 194 pm). Image: ChemSim, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Concept context
Covers the nitrogen family (Group 15), oxygen family (Group 16), halogens (Group 17), and noble gases (Group 18). One of the highest-weightage inorganic chapters in NEET and JEE - includes preparation and properties of HNO₃, H₂SO₄, interhalogens, and xenon compounds.