What is the molecular geometry of PF5?

The molecular geometry of PF5, or phosphorus pentafluoride, is trigonal bipyramidal. This geometry arises from the arrangement of five fluorine atoms around the central phosphorus atom. According to VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory, the five fluorine atoms create a structure where they are maximally spaced apart to minimize repulsion among the bonding pairs of electrons.

In this configuration, three of the fluorine atoms occupy equatorial positions in a plane that forms a triangle, while the other two occupy axial positions above and below this plane. The 120-degree angles between the equatorial atoms and the 90-degree angles between the axial and equatorial atoms reflect the characteristic angles of a trigonal bipyramidal shape. This arrangement allows for optimal electron cloud dispersion, leading to stability in the molecular structure.

Thus, the spatial arrangement of five bonds without any lone pairs on the phosphorus atom results in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry, which makes PF5 a good example of this molecular shape in the context of coordination and bonding in chemistry.