Question

How does the reducing character of hydrides of group 15 elements vary in the periodic table?

Answer 1

Hydrides: Hydrides are those chemical compounds that are formed by the reaction of hydrogen with other elements.

Reducing character of hydrides of group 15:

• The reducing character of a compound depends upon the ease of production of the hydrogen atom.
• As we move down the group, the bond strength of group 15 hydrides decreases due to an increase in the size of atoms.
• So, as the bond strength decrease, the ease to produce increase along with the group.
• Hence, the reducing character of group 15 hydrides increases down the group.
• Therefore, the trend of the reducing strength is: ${\mathrm{BiH}}_3>{\mathrm{SbH}}_3>{\mathrm{AsH}}_3>{\mathrm{PH}}_3>{\mathrm{NH}}_3$

Hence, the reducing character of hydrides of group 15 elements increases from top to bottom.