Is PF5 Polar or Nonpolar: Check Phosphorus Pentafluoride Polarity


Phosphorus Pentafluoride, having a chemical formula of PF5 is a colourless gas. The molecule has five single bonds between each Fluorine and Phosphorus atoms. This molecule is used for polymerization catalysts. To understand the polarity of this molecule one needs to know the shape and lewis structure, net dipole moment and the distribution of charges in this molecule.

The molecular geometry of this molecule is Trigonal Bipyramidal, which means two atoms of Fluorine are located in an axial position, and the other three are in the equatorial position. The arrangement of the atoms is quite symmetric for this molecule. Generally, the molecules having a symmetric distribution or arrangement are nonpolar in nature.

Net dipole moment in PF5

Phosphorus atoms has an electronegativity value of 2.19 and Fluorine’s electronegativity value is 3.98 The difference of electronegativities for both these atoms is quite higher than 0.4 which means that there can be a dipole moment in the molecule. But this dipole moment will be from the Phosphorus atom towards the Fluorine atom. All these dipole moments will be nullified because of the symmetric distribution of the atoms in the molecule. As a result, there is none or zero net dipole moment in PF5.

Distribution of charges in PF5

The molecules that have net dipole moment have regions of partial positive charges and partial negative charges. But here as the PF5 molecule doesn’t have any poles, the charges are distributed evenly in the molecule. 

Is PF5 a polar or nonpolar molecule?

PF5  is a nonpolar molecule because there is no net dipole moment in the molecule. As the shape of the molecule is symmetric with even charge distribution, it makes Phosphorus Pentafluoride a nonpolar molecule. 

Priyanka

To read, write and know something new every day is the only way I see my day! Well, that rhymed. Hey folks, this is me, Priyanka, writer at Geometry of Molecules where I want to make Chemistry easy to learn and quick to understand. Having an MSc degree helps me explain these concepts better. I write all the blogs after thorough research, analysis and review of the topics. And if not writing you will find me reading a book in some cosy cafe!

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