Can `PCl_(5)` act as oxidising as well as reducing agent ? Justify.

Explanation

In general, the molecules of a substance can behave as a reducing agent if the central atom is in a position to increase its oxidation number. Similarly, they can act as an oxidising agent if the central atom is in a position to decrease its oxidation number. Now, the maximum oxidation state or oxidation number of phosphorus (P) is `+5`. It cannot increase the same but at the sametime can decrease its oxidation number. In `PCl_(5)`, oxidation number of P is already `+5`. It therfore, cannot act as a reducing agent. However it can behave as an oxidising agent in certain reactions in which its oxidation number decreases. For example,
`2Ag+overset(+5)PCl_(5) to 2AgCl+overset(+3)PCl_(3)`
`Sn+2overset(+5)PCl_(5) to SnCl_(4)+2overset(+3)PCl_(3)`