Question

The number of covalent bonds made by phosphorus atom never exceeds :

• A. 3
• B. 5
• C. 2
• D. 12

Answer 1

The correct option is B 5

Phosphorous has an atomic number of 15 and electronic configuration as $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^3$

So, phosphorous can exceed its valency from $+3$ to $+5$ because of the presence of the vacant d-orbital.

So, phosphorous can make a maximum of 5 covalent bonds.

Hence, option B is correct.