Question

Which element among the following does form $P\pi -P\pi$ multiple bonds ?

• A. Arsenic
• B. Nitrogen
• C. Phosphorus
• D. Antimony

Answer 1

The correct option is B Nitrogen

Nitrogen forms $P\pi -P\pi$ multiple bonds.
In diatomic $:N\equiv N:$, 1 bond is sigma and the remaining 2 bonds are $P\pi -P\pi$ bonds.
Other elements of group 15 do not form $P\pi -P\pi$ multiple bonds due to repulsion between non bonded electrons of the inner core and size.
There is no such repulsion in case of smaller nitrogen atoms as they have only $1s^2$ electrons in their inner core and hence, their p orbitals easily overlap to form $P\pi -P\pi$ multiple bonds.