Question

Why tendency to show catenation of n is less than phosphorus intext:zigya hbse?

Answer 1

N shows less catenation than P because N is a smaller atom , bonds of N with other N are not that stable because of nuclear repulsion.

Answer 2

Answer:

Catenation is much more common in phosphorous compounds than in nitrogen compounds. This is because of the relative weakness of the N−N single bond as compared to the P−P single bond. Since nitrogen atom is smaller, there is greater repulsion of electron density of two nitrogen atoms, thereby weakening the N−N single bond.