Describe the hybridisation in case of PCl5. Why are the axial bonds longer as compared to equatorial bonds?
P has ground state valence shell electronic configuration 3s23p3 and the first excited state valence shell electronic configuration is 3s13p33d1.
P undergoes sp3d hybridization and has trigonal bipyramidal geometry.
Axial Cl atoms experience higher electron repulsion than equatorial chlorine atoms.
Hence, the axial bonds are longer as compared to equatorial bonds.