Question

What is the name of the compound that has the formula $ PC{l_3} $ ?

Answer 1

Hint: The given formula $ PC{l_3} $ indicates that this compound is an example of phosphorus trihalides. Also the covalency of phosphorus in trihalides is $ 3 $ . By looking at the formula, we can think that phosphorus is attached to three chlorine atoms.

Complete answer:
We all know that phosphorus forms two halides i.e. phosphorus trihalide $ (P{X_3}) $ and phosphorus pentahalide $ (P{X_5}) $ . The covalency of phosphorus in phosphorus trihalide $ (P{X_3}) $ is $ 3 $ and the covalency of phosphorus in phosphorus pentahalide $ (P{X_5}) $ is $ 5 $ .
 The given formula $ PC{l_3} $ indicates that this compound is an example of phosphorus trihalides. The name of the compound with formula $ PC{l_3} $ is Phosphorus trichloride. It is one of the common examples of phosphorus trihalide. The hybridization of phosphorus in $ PC{l_3} $ is $ s{p^3} $ . It has a pyramidal structure. In phosphorus trichloride structure $ PC{l_3} $ , three $ s{p^3} $ hybrids orbitals of phosphorus overlap with the p- orbitals of the chlorine and form three $ P - Cl $ sigma bonds and the fourth $ s{p^3} $ hybrid orbital contains lone pairs of electrons.

Additional Information:
Phosphorus trichloride acts as a nucleophile due to the presence of lone pairs of electrons and it also acts as an electrophile due to the presence of empty d-orbital. Phosphorus trichloride generally undergo redox reactions.

Note:
Phosphorus trichloride is a very reactive compound. It is very poisonous and volatile in nature. It is present in a colourless oily liquid state. It has a very pungent odour. It shows an explosion when it reacts with water. It is highly toxic in nature and causes irritation to eyes, skin and respiratory system. It is a very important reagent which is widely used in organic chemistry.