--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

Explain group 15 elements.

The various elements of this group differ from one another in their chemical reactivity. Nitrogen differs from the rest of the members of the group due to its smaller size, high electronegativity, high ionization enthalpy and non-availability of d-orbitals. Nitrogen is chemically comparatively less reactive. It is because of high stability of its molecule, N2 in which the two nitrogen atoms are linked by triple bond (N ≡ N) and thus, possess high bond strength (941.4 kJ mol-1).


Among the elements of this group only nitrogen has a unique ability to form p π-p π multiple bonds with itself as well as with carbon oxygen. The multiple bonding in nitrogen occurs due to its small size. Nitrogen, thus, forms a diatomic molecule, N2. On the other hand, phosphorus, arsenic and antimony form tetrahedral molecules in their elemental state with formula E4. Each P atom is linked to three other atoms with P - P - P bond angle equal to 60°. Though phosphorus and heavier members of the family do not form p π-p πmultiple bonds easily, yet the multiple bonding of the type d π-p π can readily occur in these elements. This type of bonding is prominent for the phosphorus as is reflected in the formation of compounds such as POX3, RN = PX2, R3P = O or R3P = CH2 (R = alkylgroup).

Phosphorus and arsenic can form d π-p π bond also with transition metals their compounds like P(C2H3) and As(C6H5)3 an actas ligands. Recently, a few compounds of phosphorus and arsenic having multiple bonding like P = C, P ≡ C, P = N, P = P and As = Asgroups have been synthesized.

The common chemical characteristics of group 15 elements are discussed below:

Reactivity for hydrogen: the elements of group 15 form hydrides having the general formula EH3. All these are covalent in nature. These hydrides are listed below:

66_Group 15.png 

Reactivity towards halogen

All the elements of group 15 form two series of halides, i.e. trihalides and pentahalides of the type EX3 and EX5.

Nitrogen does not form pentahalides because of non-availability of the d-orbitals in its valence shell. Penta-halides are more covalent than trihalides. All these trihalides of these elements except those of nitrogen are stable. In case of nitrogen simply NF3 is known to be stable. The trihalides except BiF3 are predominantly covalent in character.

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : Inorganic Chemistry Inorganic

    Inorganic Chemistry:In the year 1869, Russian Chemist Dmitry Mendeleyev forms the periodic table of the element. Since Newlands did before him in the year 1863, Mendeleyev categorizes the el

    		•
  • Q : How can enzymes act as catalyst?

    Enzymes are complex proteinous substances, produced by living bodies, such as act as catalysis in the physiological reactions. The enzymes are, also called biochemical catalysts and the phenomenon is known as bio-chemical catalysis because numerous reactions that occur the bodies of animals and p

    		•
  • Q : What is electrolysis? Explain with

    Passage of a current through a solution can produce an electrolysis reaction.Much additional information on the properties of the ions in an aqueous solution can be obtained from studies of the passage of a direct current (dc) through a cell containing a s

    		•
  • Q : Means of molality Give me answer of

    Give me answer of this question. The number of moles of solute per kg of a solvent is called its: (a) Molarity (b) Normality (c) Molar fraction (d) Molality

    		•
  • Q : Thermodynamics 1 Lab Report I already

    I already did Materials and Methods section. I uploaded it with the instructions. Also, make sure to see Concept Questions and Thinking Ahead in the instructions that I uploaded. deadline is tomorow at 8 am

    		•
  • Q : Vander Waals forces Wax is an example

    Wax is an example of: (a) Ionic crystal  (b) Covalent crystal  (c) Metallic crystal  (d) Molecular crystalAnswer: (d) Iodine crystals are molecular crystals, in which constituent particles are molecules having inter particle

    		•
  • Q : What are homogenous catalyst? Give few

    When a catalyst mixes homogeneously with the reactants and forms a single phase, the catalyst is said to be homogeneous and this type of catalysis is called homogeneous catalysis. Some more examples of homogeneous catalysis are:    SO2

    		•
  • Q : Explain reactions of carbonyl oxygen

    In these reaction oxygen atom of carbonyl group is replaced by either one divalent group or two monovalent groups. Reaction by ammonia derivatives: aldehydes and ketones react with a number of ammonia derivatives such as hydroxylaminem hydrazine, semicarbazide etc. in weak acidic medium.

    		•
  • Q : Avogadros hypothesis how avogadros

    how avogadros hypothesis used to deduce the atomicity of elementry gases ?

    		•
  • Q : Changes in matter law of chemical

    changes in matter law of chemical combination

    		•