When dry chlorine gas (\(Cl_2\)) is passed over molten white phosphorus (\(P_4\)), two different chlorinated phosphorus compounds can be formed depending on the amount of chlorine supplied in the reaction.
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Phosphorus Trichloride (\(PCl_3\)): This compound is formed when white phosphorus reacts with a limited supply of chlorine. The reaction can be expressed as:
\[ P_4(s) + 6Cl_2(g) \rightarrow 4PCl_3(l) \]
In this reaction, one molecule of white phosphorus (\(P_4\)) reacts with six molecules of chlorine to produce four molecules of phosphorus trichloride.
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Phosphorus Pentachloride (\(PCl_5\)): This compound is produced when there is an excess of chlorine present during the reaction. The equation for this reaction is:
\[ P_4(s) + 8Cl_2(g) \rightarrow 4PCl_5(s) \]
Here, one molecule of white phosphorus reacts with eight molecules of chlorine to yield four molecules of phosphorus pentachloride.
Lewis Dot Structures
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Lewis Dot Structure for \(PCl_3\):
- Phosphorus has five valence electrons and can form three covalent bonds with chlorine, resulting in a trigonal pyramidal structure.
- Each chlorine atom contributes one electron to form a single bond with phosphorus. The remaining lone pairs are depicted around each chlorine.
\[ \text{Lewis Structure of } PCl_3: \]
Cl | P - Cl | Cl
Here, the phosphorus atom is the central atom bonded to three chlorine atoms, each of which has three lone pairs of electrons.
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Lewis Dot Structure for \(PCl_5\):
- In phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus expands its octet and forms five bonds with chlorine atoms.
\[ \text{Lewis Structure of } PCl_5: \]
Cl | Cl - P - Cl | | Cl Cl
In this structure, phosphorus is at the center bonded to five chlorine atoms. Each chlorine has three lone pairs.
Summary:
- PCl₃ is formed by limited chlorine and has a trigonal pyramidal shape.
- PCl₅ is formed by excess chlorine and has a trigonal bipyramidal shape.
- Both reactions involve the formation of covalent bonds between phosphorus and chlorine, with the structures indicating the connectivity and electron distribution around each atom.