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Phosphorous Oxychloride (POCl3) Formal Charge

In phosphorous oxychloride (POCl3), phosphorous shares single covalent bonds with all three chlorine (Cl) atoms and a double covalent bond with the oxygen (O) atom. Its Lewis structure is shown below.

POCl3 Formal Charge

Let us calculate the formal charge of POCl3 by calculating the formal charges on P, O, and Cl.

Phosphorous

V = 5, N = 0, B = 8

Therefore,

qf = 5 – 0 – 10/2 = 0

The formal charge on P in POCl3 is zero.

Oxygen

V = 6, N = 4, B = 4

Therefore,

qf = 6 – 4 – 4/2 = 0

The formal charge on O in POCl3 is zero.

Chlorine 1, Chlorine 2, and Chlorine 3

V = 7, N = 6, B = 2

Therefore,

qf = 7 – 6 – 2/2 = 0

The formal charge on Cl in POCl3 is zero.

The net formal charge is: 0 + 0 + 3 x 0 = 0

The formal charge of POCl3 is zero. The structure shown above is the most stable.

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