The phosphorus trihalides 1PX32 show the following variation in the bond angle X¬P¬X: PF3, 96.3°; PCl3, 100.3°; PBr3, 101.0°; PI3, 102.0°. The trend is generally attributed to the change in the electronegativity of the halogen. (b) What is the general trend in the X¬P¬X angle as the halide electronegativity increases?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the electronegativities of the halogens F, Cl, Br, and I. Recall that electronegativity generally decreases down the periodic table.
2. Analyze the given bond angles for each phosphorus trihalide: PF3 (96.3°), PCl3 (100.3°), PBr3 (101.0°), PI3 (102.0°).
3. Observe the relationship between the decreasing electronegativity of the halogens and the increasing bond angle in the phosphorus trihalides.
4. Consider the effect of electronegativity on electron density around the phosphorus atom and how it influences the repulsion between bonding pairs of electrons.
5. Conclude the general trend: as the electronegativity of the halide X in PX3 decreases, the X-P-X bond angle increases.

Key Concepts

Electronegativity

Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons in a chemical bond. In the context of phosphorus trihalides, the electronegativity of the halogen atoms (F, Cl, Br, I) influences the bond angles due to the differing electron density around the phosphorus atom. As electronegativity increases, the halogen atoms pull electron density away from the phosphorus, affecting the spatial arrangement of the bonds.

Bond Angles

Bond angles are the angles formed between two bonds that share a common atom, which in this case is phosphorus in the trihalides. The bond angle can be influenced by factors such as lone pair repulsion and the size of the bonded atoms. In phosphorus trihalides, as the size and electronegativity of the halogen increase, the bond angles also change, reflecting the balance between repulsion and attraction in the molecular geometry.

Molecular Geometry

Molecular geometry refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule. The geometry of phosphorus trihalides is primarily determined by the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons around the phosphorus atom. The variations in bond angles observed in PF3, PCl3, PBr3, and PI3 can be attributed to the differences in steric effects and electronegativity of the halogens, which influence the overall shape and angles in the molecule.