Question:
If according to Lewis theory,the central atom can have only four other atoms connected to it,then how is it possible to draw the Lewis structure of PCl5?
We have seen that PCl5 is possible experimentally but not as per Lewis structure,so is it not wrong to ask us to draw 'LEWIS STRUCTURE' of PCl5?
Answer:
No. Lewis structure does not have any restriction on the numbers of atoms to which the central atom binds to. The number 4 is limited only to carbon. for phosphorous (P), it ought to be 5. It is correct to use the term Lewis structure for PCl5.
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