What is the hybridization of the central phosphorus atom in the phosphorus pentabromide (PBr_5) molecule?

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

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in the molecule, which is phosphorus (P) in PBr_5.
2. Determine the number of electron domains (regions of electron density) around the phosphorus atom. In PBr_5, phosphorus is bonded to five bromine atoms, so there are 5 bonding pairs and no lone pairs on phosphorus.
3. Recall that the hybridization corresponds to the number of electron domains: 2 domains = sp, 3 domains = sp^2, 4 domains = sp^3, 5 domains = sp^3d, and 6 domains = sp^3d^2.
4. Since phosphorus has 5 bonding pairs and no lone pairs, the total number of electron domains is 5, which corresponds to sp^3d hybridization.
5. Conclude that the hybridization of the central phosphorus atom in PBr_5 is sp^3d.