Explain why:
Nitrogen does not form pentahalides.

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Solution

Valence shell elelctronic configuration of $N$ is $2 s^{2} 2 p^{3}$ . Therefore, it can accomodate maximum of three electrons in its valence p-orbital. As $N$ doesnot have any d-orbital unlike P, therefore can not expand its octet and doesnot form pentahalides.

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Though nitrogen and phosphorous exhibits +5 oxidation state, nitrogen does not form pentahalide but phosphorous forms. Give reason.

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