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PO(NCO)3 < PO(NCS)3 Boiling point a molecular weight
193.1°C 300.1°C
This question involves analyzing molecular geometry, boiling points, and bond angles in phosphorus oxyhalides and related compounds. Let's break down each statement step by step.
POF2Cl has a central phosphorus atom bonded to one oxygen (double bond), two fluorine atoms, and one chlorine atom. The hybridization of phosphorus is sp3 due to four electron domains (one double bond counts as one domain). The molecular geometry is tetrahedral, but since one position is occupied by a double-bonded oxygen, the shape around phosphorus is trigonal pyramidal (similar to ammonia, NH3). This statement is correct.
Boiling point depends on molecular mass and intermolecular forces. PO(NCO)3 (molecular mass ≈ 229 g/mol) has NCO groups, while PO(NCS)3 (molecular mass ≈ 257 g/mol) has heavier NCS groups. Higher mass usually increases boiling point, but NCS groups might have stronger London dispersion forces due to larger size. However, NCO is smaller and less polarizable, so PO(NCS)3 should have a higher boiling point. This statement is incorrect.
POCl3 (molecular mass ≈ 153.5 g/mol) and POBr3 (molecular mass ≈ 286.5 g/mol) are similar in structure. POBr3 has higher molecular mass and larger bromine atoms, leading to stronger London dispersion forces and thus a higher boiling point. POCl3 boiling point is indeed lower. This statement is correct.
Both POF3 and POCl3 have tetrahedral electron geometry with sp3 hybridization. The bond angle (e.g., F-P-F vs Cl-P-Cl) is influenced by the size and electronegativity of substituents. Fluorine is more electronegative than chlorine, so in POF3, the bonding electrons are pulled closer to fluorine, reducing electron density at phosphorus and decreasing bond angles due to increased lone pair-bond pair repulsion. In POCl3, chlorine is less electronegative, so bond angles are larger. Thus, bond angle in POF3 is less than in POCl3. This statement is correct.
Molecular Geometry: Determined by VSEPR theory based on electron domains around the central atom.
Intermolecular Forces: London dispersion, dipole-dipole, and hydrogen bonding affect boiling points.
Electronegativity and Bond Angles: Higher electronegativity of substituents can reduce bond angles due to increased repulsion.
VSEPR theory: Electron domains = bonding pairs + lone pairs. Geometry depends on the number of domains.
Boiling point correlation: Higher molecular mass and larger atomic size increase boiling point.
Bond angle trend: More electronegative substituents decrease bond angles in similar molecules.