Question

Expanded octets result in substances with more than an octet of valence electrons resulting in non-traditional geometries of molecular compounds.
Which of the following elements cannot form an expanded octet as the central atom?

• A. Nitrogen
• B. Phosphorus
• C. Sulfur
• D. Chlorine

Answer 1

The correct option is A Nitrogen

Nitrogen is having orbital $1s,2s$ & $2p$. Thus it can take electron in $2p$ only and cannot expand its orbital because it does not have any vacant $d$ or $f$ orbitals.