Question

A Mercury(II) chloride dissolves in water to give poorly conducting solutions, indicating that the compound is largely nonionized in solution—it dissolves as HgCl2 molecules. Describe the bonding of the HgCl2 molecule, using valence bond theory. b Phosphorus trichloride, PCl3, is a colorless liquid with a highly irritating vapor. Describe the bonding in the PCl3 molecule, using valence bond theory. Use hybrid orbitals.

Answer 1

Answer:

Using valence bond theory, HgCl2 is sp hybridized while PCl3 is sp3 hybridized.

Explanation:

sp hybridized molecules are largely covalent and cannot conduct electricity hence the nonconducting nature of HgCl2. PCl3 contains a lone pair and three unpaired electrons in sp3 hybridized orbitals.