What is the hybridization of the central atom in (a) PBr5?

Key Concepts

Hybridization

Hybridization is a concept in chemistry that describes the mixing of atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals. These hybrid orbitals are used to explain the geometry and bonding properties of molecules. The type of hybridization depends on the number of electron pairs around the central atom, influencing molecular shape and bond angles.

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory

VSEPR theory is a model used to predict the geometry of individual molecules based on the repulsion between electron pairs in the valence shell of the central atom. According to this theory, electron pairs will arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion, which helps determine the molecular shape and the hybridization of the central atom.

Molecular Geometry of PBr5

PBr5, or phosphorus pentabromide, has a trigonal bipyramidal molecular geometry. In this structure, the phosphorus atom is surrounded by five bromine atoms, leading to a hybridization of sp3d. This hybridization accounts for the five bonding pairs of electrons and the specific arrangement of atoms in three-dimensional space.