Discuss
the trends in chemical reactivity of group 15 elements.
Discuss the trends in chemical reactivity of group 15 elements.
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: E2O3
and 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.
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: E2O3 and 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.
