Are all the five bonds in `PCI_(5)` equivalent ? Justify.

Explanation

`PCl_(5)` has trional bipyramid structure (Fig. 11.35, page 11//134). It has three equatorial bonds inclined at angle of `120^(@)` and two axial bonds inclined at an angle of `90^(@)`. Since two axial P-Cl bonds are repelled by three bond pairs each while three equatorial P-Cl bonds are repelled by two bond pairs each, therefore aixad bonds are longer (240 pm) and hence weaker as compared to more stable equatorial bonds (202 pm). Thus, all the five P-Cl bonds in `PCl_(5)` are not equivalent.