Why all the 5bonds in pcl5 are not equivalent Explain?

Answer 1

In phosphorus pentachloride (PCl₅), the five P–Cl bonds are not equivalent due to the molecule's trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The three equatorial bonds are arranged in a plane at 120-degree angles to each other, while the two axial bonds are oriented perpendicular to this plane at 180 degrees. This difference in spatial arrangement leads to variations in bond lengths and angles, resulting in the bonds having slightly different characteristics. Consequently, the five P–Cl bonds exhibit different environments, making them non-equivalent.