(a) Mercury(II) chloride dissolves in water to give poorly conducting solutions, indicating that the compound is largely nonionized in solution-it dissolves as HgCl2 molecules. Describe the bonding of the HgCl2 molecule, using valence bond theory.
(b) Phosphorus trichloride, PCl3, is a colorless liquid with a highly irritating vapor. Describe the bonding in the PCl3 molecule, using valence bond theory. Use hybrid orbitals.