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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Frizz on March 31, 2005, 08:32:00 AM

Title: Chlorides of phosphorus
Post by: Frizz on March 31, 2005, 08:32:00 AM

Anyone know why phosphorus is the only period 3 element to form to different chlorides? PCl3 and PCl5?
I mean I can only think that phosphorus must have an extra oribital but surely all elements in the same period have the same number of orbitals.  An I didn't think you got d-orbitals until period 4?!
I'm so confused on this one.

Title: Re:Chlorides of phosphorus
Post by: Mitch on March 31, 2005, 12:49:45 PM

All atoms have d-orbitals. D-orbitals are not involved in PCl3 bonding

Title: Re:Chlorides of phosphorus
Post by: AWK on April 01, 2005, 12:16:37 AM

Sulfur form many chlorides also: SCl2 ans S(n)Cl2 where (n) may be form 2 up to 100