The covalent molecule trigonal bipyramidal molecular geometry.

The central phosphorus atom has sp3d hybridization, and the molecule has an asymmetric charge distribution.

It appears as a colorless gas with a disagreeable odor, and it turns into a liquid at -8 °C.

Phosphorus trifluorodichloride is formed by mixing phosphorus trifluoride with chlorine PF3 + Cl2 → PF3Cl2[2] The P-F bond length is 1.546 Å for equatorial position and 1.593 for the axial position and the P-Cl bond length is 2.004 Å.

The chlorine atoms are in equatorial positions in the molecule.