The Lewis structure tells us how atoms are bonded and shows the valence electrons of each element as dots. These valence electrons can be found in the periodic table of the elements, and they coincide with the group number to which the element belongs.
So phosphorus (P) belongs to group 5 and has 5 valence electrons. Chlorine (Cl) is in group 7 and has 7 valence electrons.
The Lewis scheme will be:
The blue dots correspond to the valence electrons of phosphorus, and the purple dots are the electrons of chlorine. The electrons they share can be written with a line.
We have that the geometry of the molecule will be:
Four sp3 type hybrid orbitals are formed, three of which overlap with each of the Cl atoms and the other houses the lone electrons. Sigma type bonds.
Answer: 4 sp3 hybrid orbitals
