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Though nitrogen exhibits + 5 oxidation s...

Though nitrogen exhibits + 5 oxidation state, it does not form penta-halide. Given reason.

Text Solution

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Nitrogen (N) has seven electrons and phosphorus has fifteen electrons. Their electronic configuration is as follows :
N (`Z = 7) = 1s^(2) 2s^(2) 2p^(3), P (Z = 15) = 1s^(2) 2s^(2) 2p^(6) 3s^(2) 3p^(3)`
In case of nitrogen, there is absence of d- orbitals. Hence, N cannot extend its covalency beyond three. While in case of phosphorus, vacant 3d-orbitals are present. Therefore, P can increase its covalency upto five. Therefore, `PCl_(5)` can exist but `NCl_(5)` cannot.
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