Question
Can PCl5 act as an oxidising as well reducing agent? Justify.
Solution
PCl5 can act as an oxidizing agent not as the reducing agent.
PCl5 can act as an oxidizing agent. The highest oxidation state that P can show is +5. In PCl5, phosphorus is in its highest state (+5). However, it can decrease its oxidation state and act as an oxidizing agent .
(i) PCl5 is hydrolysed to give the oxoacid (H3,PO4) in the + 5 oxidation state.
PCl5(s) + 4H2O→ H3PO4 (aq) + 5HCl(aq)
(ii) In the gas phase, PCl5 dissociates into trihalide and the chlorine.
