Here's why:
* Phosphorus (P) is in group 15 of the periodic table and has a valency of 5 (meaning it can form 5 bonds).
* Chlorine (Cl) is in group 17 and has a valency of 1.
* In an excess of chlorine, phosphorus will form as many bonds as possible, leading to the formation of PCl5.
Keep in mind that this compound is actually quite complex, and it exists in equilibrium with other forms, but PCl5 is the simplest representation of its composition.