Question 3

Discuss the trends in chemical reactivity of group 15 elements.

Answer

General trends in chemical properties of group - 15

(i) Reactivity towards hydrogen: The elements of group 15 react with hydrogen to form hydrides of type EH3, where E = N, P, As, Sb, or Bi. The stability of hydrides decreases on moving down from NH3 to BiH3.

 

(ii) Reactivity towards oxygen: The elements of group 15 form two types of oxides: E2O3and E2O5, where E = N, P, As, Sb, or Bi. The oxide with the element in the higher oxidation state is more acidic than the other. However, the acidic character decreases on moving down a group.



 

(iii) Reactivity towards halogens: The group 15 elements react with halogens to form two series of salts: EX3 and EX5. However, nitrogen does not form NX5 as it lacks the d-orbital. All trihalides (except NX3) are stable.

 

(iv) Reactivity towards metals: The group 15 elements react with metals to form binary compounds in which metals exhibit -3 oxidation states.

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