Question

Which of the following elements can be involved in $\mathrm{p\pi }-\mathrm{d\pi }$bonding?

• A. Nitrogen
• B. Carbon
• C. Boron
• D. Phosphorus

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Phosphorus

The explanation of the correct option:

D) Phosphorus

• $\mathrm{p\pi }-\mathrm{d\pi }$ bonding is a special type of bonding that occurs in species with a central atom having a p or d valence shell while surrounding atoms have an empty/partially/completely filled p or d orbital.
• The phosphorus atom ticks the criteria since it has vacant $3\mathrm{d}\mathrm{orbital}$and is present in the third period of the periodic table.
• Phosphorus's atomic number is$15$ an electronic configuration as$\left[\mathrm{Ne}\right]3{\mathrm{s}}^{2}3{\mathrm{p}}^3$ depicting it also has a partially filled p orbital.

The explanation for incorrect options:

A) Nitrogen

• Nitrogen's atomic number is$7$ with electronic configuration as$\left[\mathrm{He}\right]2{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{p}}^3$.
• It has a small size and high electronegativity. Due to this reason, it doesn't form $\mathrm{p\pi }-\mathrm{d\pi }$ bonding but rather forms $\mathrm{p\pi }-\mathrm{p\pi }$a bonding.

B) Carbon

• Carbon's atomic number is $8$ with electronic configuration is $\left[\mathrm{Ne}\right]2{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{p}}^4$
• It also has a small size and belongs to the second period. Due to the absence of d vacant orbital, it can't form$\mathrm{p\pi }-\mathrm{d\pi }$ bonding.

C) Boron

• Boron's atomic number is $5$with electronic configuration is $\left[\mathrm{Ne}\right]2{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{p}}^1$
• It has a very small size with the unavailability of d vacant orbital thus $\mathrm{p\pi }-\mathrm{d\pi }$ bonding is not formed.

Hence, the correct option is D) Phosphorus