Question

Why can't nitrogen make 5 bonds?

Answer 1

Answer:

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Explanation:

Nitrogen needs 5 unpaired electrons to form 5 covalent bonds, but there are only 4 orbitals ( one s and three p) in its valence shell so there has to be a pair of electrons in one of the orbitals giving only 3 unpaired electrons.As known, nitrogen could form 3 bonds based on octet rule, because it has 5 valence electrons. That means it needs 3 bonds

Answer 2

Explanation:

The reason that phosphorus can form “five bonds” and nitrogen only three or four has to do with the size of the two atoms. Phosphorus can fit five fluorine atoms around itself; nitrogen cannot.