PF3 Lewis structure

PF₃ (phosphorus trifluoride) has one phosphorus atom and three fluorine atoms.

In the PF₃ Lewis structure, there are three single bonds around the phosphorus atom, with three fluorine atoms attached to it. Each fluorine atom has three lone pairs, and the phosphorus atom has one lone pair.

Alternative method: Lewis structure of PF₃

Rough sketch

• First, determine the total number of valence electrons

In the periodic table, phosphorus lies in group 15, and fluorine lies in group 17.

Hence, phosphorus has five valence electrons and fluorine has seven valence electrons.

Since PF₃ has one phosphorus atom and three fluorine atoms, so…

Valence electrons of one phosphorus atom = 5 × 1 = 5
Valence electrons of three fluorine atoms = 7 × 3 = 21

And the total valence electrons = 5 + 21 = 26

Learn how to find: Phosphorus valence electrons and Fluorine valence electrons

• Second, find the total electron pairs

We have a total of 26 valence electrons. And when we divide this value by two, we get the value of total electron pairs.

Total electron pairs = total valence electrons ÷ 2

So the total electron pairs = 26 ÷ 2 = 13

• Third, determine the central atom

We have to place the least electronegative atom at the center.

Since phosphorus is less electronegative than fluorine, assume that the central atom is phosphorus.

Therefore, place phosphorus in the center and fluorines on either side.

• And finally, draw the rough sketch

Lone pair

Here, we have a total of 13 electron pairs. And three P — F bonds are already marked. So we have to only mark the remaining ten electron pairs as lone pairs on the sketch.

Also remember that phosphorus is a period 3 element, so it can keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell. And fluorine is a period 2 element, so it can not keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell.

Always start to mark the lone pairs from outside atoms. Here, the outside atoms are fluorines.

So for each fluorine, there are three lone pairs, and for phosphorus, there is one lone pair.

Mark the lone pairs on the sketch as follows:

Formal charge

Use the following formula to calculate the formal charges on atoms:

Formal charge = valence electrons – nonbonding electrons – ½ bonding electrons

For phosphorus atom, formal charge = 5 – 2 – ½ (6) = 0

For each fluorine atom, formal charge = 7 – 6 – ½ (2) = 0

Here, both phosphorus and fluorine atoms do not have charges, so no need to mark the charges.

Final structure

The final structure of PF₃ contains a central phosphorus atom connected to three fluorine atoms through single covalent bonds. Within this configuration, the phosphorus atom satisfies the octet rule by forming three bonding pairs and retaining one lone pair. Each fluorine atom also fulfills its octet by maintaining three lone pairs of its own alongside the single shared bond. This setup is the most stable because it results in formal charges of zero for all atoms involved, representing the most energetically favorable state for the molecule. Accordingly, this specific electronic distribution serves as the definitive and most accurate Lewis representation of phosphorus trifluoride.

Next: PCl₅ Lewis structure

External video

• PF3 Lewis Structure – How to Draw the Lewis Structure for PF3 – YouTube • Wayne Breslyn

External links

• https://techiescientist.com/pf3-lewis-structure/
• https://topblogtenz.com/phosphorus-trifluoride-pf3-lewis-dot-structure-molecular-electron-geometry-bond-angle/
• https://www.thegeoexchange.org/chemistry/bonding/Lewis-Structures/PF3-lewis-structure.html
• https://lambdageeks.com/pf3-lewis-structure/
• https://sciedutut.com/pf3-lewis-structure/