Vsepr & Hybridisation

Question

In PCl5, axial P–Cl bonds are slightly longer than equatorial because:

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1. **Geometry**: $PCl_5$ adopts a **Trigonal Bipyramidal** ($sp^3d$) geometry.
2. **Bond Types**: It has 3 equatorial bonds (angle $120^\circ$) and 2 axial bonds (perpendicular to the equatorial plane).
3. **VSEPR Repulsion**: 
   - Axial bonds have three $90^\circ$ repulsions from equatorial atoms.
   - Equatorial bonds exhibit only two $90^\circ$ repulsions from axial atoms and two $120^\circ$ from neighbors.
4. **Constraint**: Greater repulsion on axial pairs forces them further from the nucleus.
5. **Observed result**: The axial $P-Cl$ bonds ($\approx 214$ pm) are **longer and weaker** than the equatorial ones ($\approx 202$ pm).

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