Can PCl5 act as an oxidising as well as a reducing agent? Justify.

Can PCl₅ act as an oxidising as well as a reducing agent? Justify. 

Answer

PCl₅ can only act as an oxidizing agent. The highest oxidation state that P can show is +5. In PCl₅, phosphorus is in its highest oxidation state (+5). However, it can decrease its oxidation state and act as an oxidizing agent.