Chemistry / Unit 6 Chem 0997 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Expanded Octet
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The idea
An expanded octet occurs when a central atom from period 3 or below accommodates more than eight valence electrons using available d orbitals.
In practice
In PCl5, phosphorus forms five single bonds, carrying ten electrons around its central atom.
Where people slip
Expanded octets are limited to period 3 and later central atoms — a second-period atom such as carbon or nitrogen never exceeds eight.
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