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amolv06
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My o-chem book says that phosphorus can have more than 4 covalent bonds. Why is this with respect to valence bond theory?
amolv06 said:My o-chem book says that phosphorus can have more than 4 covalent bonds.
Phosphorus with 5 covalent bonds refers to a type of phosphorus atom that is bonded to five other atoms through covalent bonds. Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons in order to attain a stable outer electron shell.
Regular phosphorus usually forms three covalent bonds, but in some cases, it can form five covalent bonds. This results in a different molecular structure and properties for phosphorus with 5 covalent bonds compared to regular phosphorus.
Phosphorus with 5 covalent bonds is typically more reactive and unstable compared to regular phosphorus. It can also exhibit different physical and chemical properties, depending on the atoms it is bonded to.
Some examples of molecules containing phosphorus with 5 covalent bonds include phosphorus pentachloride (PCl5), phosphorus pentafluoride (PF5), and phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5).
Phosphorus with 5 covalent bonds is commonly used as a reagent in chemical reactions and synthesis processes. It is also utilized in the production of fertilizers and in the manufacturing of electronic components such as transistors and semiconductors.