What is the hybridization of the central phosphorus atom in PCl_3?

• A. sp^2
• B. sp^3
• C. sp
• D. dsp^3

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in the molecule PCl_3, which is phosphorus (P).
2. Determine the number of valence electrons on the phosphorus atom. Phosphorus is in group 15, so it has 5 valence electrons.
3. Count the number of atoms bonded to phosphorus and any lone pairs on phosphorus. In PCl_3, phosphorus is bonded to 3 chlorine atoms and has 1 lone pair of electrons.
4. Calculate the steric number, which is the sum of bonded atoms and lone pairs around the central atom: Steric number = 3 (bonded atoms) + 1 (lone pair) = 4.
5. Use the steric number to determine the hybridization. A steric number of 4 corresponds to sp^3 hybridization for the central atom.