Phosphoryl fluoride Lewis Structure

Phosphoryl fluoride Lewis Structure: F₃OP Lewis Structure, tetrahedral Geometry, sp3 Hybridization & Polarity

Phosphoryl fluoride Key Facts

The Phosphoryl fluoride Lewis structure is P–O double bond, P–F single bond, P–F single bond and P–F 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 Phosphoryl fluoride is polar because the tetrahedral shape (and/or unequal terminal atoms) prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles.

Figure 1: Lewis Structure of Phosphoryl fluoride (F₃OP)

Chemical Formula	F₃OP
CAS Number	13478-20-1
Total Valence Electrons	32
Lewis Structure	P–O double bond, P–F single bond, P–F single bond and P–F single bond
Electron-Domain Geometry	tetrahedral
Molecular Geometry	tetrahedral
Hybridization Model	sp3 (central P)
Bond Angle	109.5°
Polarity	Polar molecule

PubChem (CID 83516) and NIST list Phosphoryl fluoride as F ₃OP with CAS 13478-20-1; molecular weight ≈ 103.968 g/mol. View CAS 13478-20-1 dictionary details on Guidechem →

Applications of Phosphoryl fluoride (CAS 13478-20-1)

The P oxide Phosphoryl fluoride is a key industrial intermediate. Nonmetal oxides such as SO₃ and P₄O₁₀ are acid anhydrides for sulfuric and phosphoric acid manufacture, while metal/semimetal oxides are ceramics, refractories, catalysts and pigment precursors.

Acid Anhydride / Intermediate Gateway to the corresponding oxoacid and its salts (fertilizers, detergents).

Materials & Catalysis Oxide ceramics, refractories, catalysts and pigment feedstocks.

Process Gas / Reagent Oxidizing or reactive reagent in inorganic and environmental processing.

Procurement Note "Phosphoryl fluoride" 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 13478-20-1 as the primary identifier when screening suppliers; always confirm regional availability and safety documentation (SDS).

Step 1 - Valence Electrons & Central Atom

To draw the Phosphoryl fluoride Lewis structure we first count the total valence electrons. F₃OP contains 3×7 (F) + 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 (F) + 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–F single bond, P–F single bond and P–F 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–F P–F P–F

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 Phosphoryl fluoride Polar or Nonpolar?

Phosphoryl fluoride 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 Phosphoryl fluoride 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
Phosphoryl fluoride	F₃OP	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 F₃OP, 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 Phosphoryl fluoride (CAS 13478-20-1)? Browse Supplier on Guidechem →

FAQs

Is F₃OP polar or nonpolar?

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

What is the Lewis structure of Phosphoryl fluoride?

P–O double bond, P–F single bond, P–F single bond and P–F 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 Phosphoryl fluoride?

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 Phosphoryl fluoride?

The conventional model is sp3. Phosphoryl fluoride has 4 electron domains around the central P.

What is the CAS number of Phosphoryl fluoride?

The CAS number is 13478-20-1. PubChem (CID 83516) and NIST identify this with F₃OP; use it to locate suppliers and database records.

References

PubChem CID 83516, Phosphoryl fluoride. Molecular formula, CAS number, molecular weight and chemical identity.
NIST Chemistry WebBook, SRD 69, Phosphoryl fluoride. 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 Phosphoryl fluoride (CAS 13478-20-1).

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 13478-20-1 identifies the substance, not a universal purity specification.

Make Guideview Preferred Source on Google

Phosphoryl fluoride Lewis Structure