Phosphorus oxychloride Lewis Structure

Phosphorus oxychloride Lewis Structure: Cl₃OP Lewis Structure, tetrahedral Geometry, sp3 Hybridization & Polarity

Phosphorus oxychloride Key Facts

The Phosphorus oxychloride Lewis structure is P–O double bond, P–Cl single bond, P–Cl single bond and P–Cl single bond; the central P has 4 electron domains (0 lone pairs), giving a tetrahedral electron-domain arrangement and a tetrahedral molecular geometry with a 109.5° bond angle. P is best described as sp3-hybridized, and Phosphorus oxychloride is polar because the tetrahedral shape (and/or unequal terminal atoms) prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles.

Figure 1: Lewis Structure of Phosphorus oxychloride (Cl₃OP)

Chemical Formula	Cl₃OP
CAS Number	10025-87-3
Total Valence Electrons	32
Lewis Structure	P–O double bond, P–Cl single bond, P–Cl single bond and P–Cl single bond
Electron-Domain Geometry	tetrahedral
Molecular Geometry	tetrahedral
Hybridization Model	sp3 (central P)
Bond Angle	109.5°
Polarity	Polar molecule

PubChem (CID 24813) and NIST list Phosphorus oxychloride as Cl ₃OP with CAS 10025-87-3; molecular weight ≈ 153.33 g/mol. View CAS 10025-87-3 dictionary details on Guidechem →

Applications of Phosphorus oxychloride (CAS 10025-87-3)

This organic compound is used as a solvent, intermediate or specialty reagent in fine-chemical, pharmaceutical and materials synthesis; specify grade and impurity profile when sourcing.

Solvent / Reagent Medium for reactions, extraction or formulation.

Intermediate Building block for downstream derivatives.

Specialty Use Targeted role in pharma/fragrance/materials.

Procurement Note "Phosphorus oxychloride" is supplied in multiple commercial grades and package sizes. Specify purity, grade, moisture/impurity limits, package (cylinder, drum or bulk) and intended process, and use CAS 10025-87-3 as the primary identifier when screening suppliers; always confirm regional availability and safety documentation (SDS).

Step 1 - Valence Electrons & Central Atom

To draw the Phosphorus oxychloride Lewis structure we first count the total valence electrons. Cl₃OP contains 3×7 (Cl) + 6 (O) + 5 (P); the net charge of 0 gives a total of 32 valence electrons to place.

The central atom is P. It is the least electronegative atom capable of forming multiple bonds and is surrounded by the more electronegative terminal atom(s); hydrogen, when present, always occupies a terminal position. Electronegativity considerations place the electron density toward the terminal atom(s).

Valence-electron count

Total valence electrons = 3×7 (Cl) + 6 (O) + 5 (P) = 32 electrons.

Step 2 - Lewis Structure & Electron Distribution

Place P at the center and connect each surrounding atom with a single bond, complete octets on the terminal atoms, and place any remaining electrons on the central atom. The resulting electron distribution is: P–O double bond, P–Cl single bond, P–Cl single bond and P–Cl single bond; no lone pairs on P.

Counting bonding and nonbonding electrons around P therefore satisfies the octet/expanded-octet requirement for the drawn structure.

P=O P–Cl P–Cl P–Cl

P: 0 lone pairs, 4 bonding domains

4 bonding domains + 0 lone pairs = 4 electron domains

Octet Rule: Why P Has Eight Electrons P forms 4 bond(s) and retains 0 nonbonding electron(s), reaching an octet. No expanded octet is required for this second-row (or octet-satisfying) central atom.

Step 3 - VSEPR Theory & Geometry

VSEPR theory states that the 4 electron domains around P arrange to minimize mutual repulsion, giving an tetrahedral electron-domain geometry.

Because 0 of these domains are lone pair(s) — and lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs — the observed molecular geometry is tetrahedral; the P bond angle is set to 109.5° rather than the ideal value for the electron-domain geometry.

Repulsion hierarchy

A useful VSEPR approximation is: lone pair–lone pair repulsion > lone pair–bonding pair repulsion > bonding pair–bonding pair repulsion. With 0 lone pair(s) on P, the lone-pair domains occupy positions that minimize overall repulsion while pushing the bonding domains (and therefore the bonded atoms) closer together.

Hybridization & Formal Charge

In the conventional localized-bond model, P uses sp3 hybrid orbitals to form the 4 equivalent electron-domain directions (4 bonding + 0 lone pair).

Formal-charge check

Formal charge on central P = V − N − ½B = 5 − 0 − ½×10 = 0. The preferred Lewis structure carries zero formal charge on the central atom (and on the terminals), so it is the dominant contributor.

Modeling Note Modeling Note: sp3 is a compact model for the 4 electron-domain directions around P; full quantum-chemical treatments use molecular orbitals.

Is Phosphorus oxychloride Polar or Nonpolar?

Phosphorus oxychloride is polar. The tetrahedral shape prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles. The bond dipoles do not cancel, leaving a net molecular dipole, which strongly influences solvation behavior and intermolecular interactions.

Expert Quote — Structural Chemistry Perspective

The decisive structural fact is not simply that the individual bonds are polar; it is whether molecular symmetry allows their vector sum to vanish. In Phosphorus oxychloride the tetrahedral arrangement prevents cancellation, so a permanent dipole remains.

Interpretation consistent with standard VSEPR / molecular-geometry references.

This polarity profile underpins its behavior as a solvent, reactant or process intermediate; when sourcing, specify grade and container compatibility.

Structural Comparison Table

Species	Formula	Central Atom	Electron Domains	Molecular Geometry	Polarity
Phosphorus oxychloride	Cl₃OP	P	4	tetrahedral	Polar
Phosphine	H₃P	P	4	trigonal pyramidal	Polar
Phosphorus trichloride	Cl₃P	P	4	trigonal pyramidal	Polar
Phosphorus pentachloride	Cl₅P	P	5	trigonal bipyramidal	Nonpolar
Phosphorus trifluoride	F₃P	P	4	trigonal pyramidal	Polar
Phosphorus pentafluoride	F₅P	P	5	trigonal bipyramidal	Nonpolar

Practice question Starting from the 32 valence electrons of Cl₃OP, draw the Lewis structure and confirm the central P atom is sp3-hybridized with tetrahedral geometry. What happens to the bond angle if one terminal atom is replaced by a more electronegative substituent?

Looking for industrial bulk or specified-grade supplies of Phosphorus oxychloride (CAS 10025-87-3)? Browse Supplier on Guidechem →

FAQs

Is Cl₃OP polar or nonpolar?

Phosphorus oxychloride is polar. Its tetrahedral geometry (and/or unequal terminal atoms) stops the bond dipoles from cancelling.

What is the Lewis structure of Phosphorus oxychloride?

P–O double bond, P–Cl single bond, P–Cl single bond and P–Cl single bond; no lone pairs on P. It uses all 32 valence electrons and the preferred structure carries zero formal charge on the central atom.

What is the bond angle in Phosphorus oxychloride?

The P angle is about 109.5°. Lone-pair repulsion compresses the angle from the ideal tetrahedral value.

What is the hybridization of P in Phosphorus oxychloride?

The conventional model is sp3. Phosphorus oxychloride has 4 electron domains around the central P.

What is the CAS number of Phosphorus oxychloride?

The CAS number is 10025-87-3. PubChem (CID 24813) and NIST identify this with Cl₃OP; use it to locate suppliers and database records.

References

PubChem CID 24813, Phosphorus oxychloride. Molecular formula, CAS number, molecular weight and chemical identity.
NIST Chemistry WebBook, SRD 69, Phosphorus oxychloride. Formula, CAS Registry Number and thermochemical / spectroscopic data.
IUPAC Gold Book. Definitions for "lone pair", "VSEPR", "hybridization" and "formal charge".
Atkins, P. & de Paula, J., Physical Chemistry. VSEPR, molecular geometry and dipole moments.
Guidechem supplier & dictionary records. Commercial sourcing and CAS-linked property pages for Phosphorus oxychloride (CAS 10025-87-3).

Technical scope: Lewis structures, VSEPR and hybridization are model-based descriptions for chemical communication and structure prediction; actual molecular electronic structure is more accurately represented by molecular-orbital and quantum-chemical methods. Commercial grades vary substantially by supplier and intended use; CAS 10025-87-3 identifies the substance, not a universal purity specification.

Make Guideview Preferred Source on Google

Phosphorus oxychloride Lewis Structure