The hybridization of P exhibited in $$PF_5$$ is $$sp^x d^y$$. The value of $$y$$ is ______

We need to find the value of $$y$$ in the hybridization $$sp^x d^y$$ of phosphorus in $$PF_5$$. Phosphorus (P) is the central atom, with 5 valence electrons, bonded to 5 fluorine atoms and having no lone pairs.

The steric number (the number of bonded atoms plus lone pairs) for phosphorus is 5 + 0 = 5. For a steric number of 5, the hybridization is $$sp^3d$$ and the molecular geometry is trigonal bipyramidal.

In $$sp^3d$$ hybridization, one s-orbital, three p-orbitals, and one d-orbital combine to form five hybrid orbitals, each forming a sigma bond with a fluorine atom.

This hybridization can be denoted as $$sp^3d^1$$, which corresponds to $$sp^x d^y$$ with $$x = 3$$ and $$y = 1$$. Therefore, the correct answer is $$y = 1$$.