Phosphine (PH3) Molecule Shape, Geometry, Hybridization
Lewis structure of Phosphine molecule contains three sigma bonds and one lone pair around phosphorus atom. Therefore, there are total of four electrons regions. So, hybridization of phosphorus atom is sp3. Because there are four electrons regions, geometry is tetrahedral and shape is trigonal pyramidal.
Phosphine (PH3) lewis structure
To decide the geometry, shape and hybridization of a PH3 molecule, drawing the correct lewis structure is very important.
Number of electron regions in phosphine molecule
Total electron region is taken by the summation of sigma bonds and lone pairs around phosphorus atom.
Number of electron regions around phosphorus atom in PH3
According to the lewis structure given above, there are three sigma bonds and one lone pair around the phosphorus atom. Therefore, total number of electron regions around phosphorus atom is four.
Geometry and shapes of molecules according to the number of electron regions
You can decide geometry and shapes of molecules from following table according to the number of electron regions.
- Geometry is decided by the total number of electron regions.
- Shape of molecule is decided by how many lone pairs and how many sigma bonds are located around the center atom under specific total number of electron regions.
Geometry around phosphorus atom in phosphine
Because, number of electron regions around phosphorus atom is four, geometry around phosphorus atom should be tetrahedral.
Molecular shape of phosphine
Because, there are three sigma bonds and one lone pair around phosphorus atom, molecular shape of phosphine is trigonal pyramidal.
Hybridization of phosphine molecule
Hybridization is also decided by the number of electron regions around an atom. A reference table is given below for identifying hybridization.
Because number of electron regions around phosphorus atom is four, hybridization of phosphorus atom is sp3
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