The least reactive element in group 15 (VA) of the periodic table
In general the first member of group is least reactive as compared to all other member of the group. Similarly N can be considered as least reactive as compared to other member of the group. But it would be a very general statement as nitrogen also show all the chemical properties similar to their group members.
Chemical properties of group − 15
(i) Reactivity towards hydrogen:
The elements of group 15 react with hydrogen to form hydrides of type EH 3 , where E = N, P, As, Sb, or Bi. The stability of hydrides decreases on moving down from NH 3 to BiH 3 .
(ii) Reactivity towards oxygen:
The elements of group 15 form two types of oxides: E 2 O 3 and E 2 O 5 , 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 g roup 15 elements react with halogens to form two series of salts: EX 3 and EX 5 . However, nitrogen does not form NX 5 as it lacks the d-orbital. All trihalides (except NX 3 ) are stable.
(iv) Reactivity towards metals:
The g roup 15 elements react with metals to form binary compounds in which metals exhibit −3 oxidation states
In general the first member of group is least reactive as compared to all other member of the group. Similarly N can be considered as least reactive as compared to other member of the group. But it would be a very general statement as nitrogen also show all the chemical properties similar to their group members.
Chemical properties of group − 15
(i) Reactivity towards hydrogen:
The elements of group 15 react with hydrogen to form hydrides of type EH 3 , where E = N, P, As, Sb, or Bi. The stability of hydrides decreases on moving down from NH 3 to BiH 3 .
(ii) Reactivity towards oxygen:
The elements of group 15 form two types of oxides: E 2 O 3 and E 2 O 5 , 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 g roup 15 elements react with halogens to form two series of salts: EX 3 and EX 5 . However, nitrogen does not form NX 5 as it lacks the d-orbital. All trihalides (except NX 3 ) are stable.
(iv) Reactivity towards metals:
The g roup 15 elements react with metals to form binary compounds in which metals exhibit −3 oxidation states
