Question

Nitrogen (n) does not from pentahalide while p froms pcl5 , pf5 , and pf6 . Why?

Answer 1

Due to absence of vacant d- orbitals nitrogen is unable to extend its covalency beyond 4. Due to which it cannot form pentahalides in which it has to form 5 bonds.

On the other hand, phosphorus can do so because of availability of vacant d- orbitals.

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