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So my teacher told me that PCl6- exists, But how? What I don't understand is that Phosphorus has 5 valence electrons hence a covalency of 5 but this doesn't allow for 6 fluorine atoms to bond with Phosphorus. Can someone show me the hybridisation or the technical reason and my teacher left off by saying that P can have hypervalent due to d orbitals but if electrons arent present to bond then how does this happen?

Shreyas Devesh
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    Try to search this site for similar questions, as similar topics have been asked multiple times. If googling, insert the term "site:chemistry.stackexchange.com". – Poutnik Aug 12 '21 at 10:10
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    Related for SF6 and false idea of involving of d orbitals in $\mathrm{sp^3d^2}$ hybridization. – Poutnik Aug 12 '21 at 10:17
  • the main doubt is on excitation P can only have an sp3d hybridization that will provide 5 hybridized orbitals then how can a sixth one appear out of nowhere? – Shreyas Devesh Aug 12 '21 at 10:22
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    @orthocresol is the author of the linked answer and has much better insight, ragarding what from the link is applicable and what is to be added or modified. – Poutnik Aug 12 '21 at 10:30
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    @Poutnik OP's name suggests he is from India, where these hypervalent hybridizations are widely and unambiguously taught throughout grades 11 and 12. I have recently finished my 12th, and before I joined this site I also believed this false myth. Most unfortunate - those who don't take up chemistry in higher studies never even get to know that this entire concept is flawed. – TRC Aug 12 '21 at 13:48
  • I checked JD LEE by Sudarshan Guha, it has nothing about this in it. So, seems to be a rare point. – tryst with freedom Aug 12 '21 at 13:54
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    @TRC I remember being taught that as well in 80s. // If there is some test/exam/homework question that insists on the wrong sp3d2 hybridization answer then both electrons on the 6th orbital would come from F- anion, forming 6 fully occupied sp3d2 orbitals. // BTW LiPF6 solution in dialkylcarbonate mix is the electrolyte in Li-Ion cells. – Poutnik Aug 12 '21 at 14:01
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    @Poutnik - Exactly. That's what we are taught. The point about lithium ion cells was a new info for me, so thanks :) – TRC Aug 12 '21 at 14:10

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