Which of the following elements can show covalency greater than 4?

Options

A. Be
B. p-block
C. S
D. B

Answer

B, C

Explanation

(b,c)
Elements Be and B lie in the 2nd period. They can have a minimum of B electron of 8 electrons in the valence shell. In other words, they can have a minimum covalency of `8//2=4`.
However, elements P and S have vacant d-orbitals in their respective valence shells and hence can accomodate more than 8 electrons in their respective valence shell. In other words, they can show a covalency of more than 4.