1.

Discuss the trends in chemical reactivity of group 15 elements.

Answer»

General trends in chemical properties of group-15

(i) Reactivity towards hydrogen:
The elements of group 15 react with hydrogen to form hydrides of type EH3, where E - N, P, As, Sb, or Bi. The stability of hydrides decreases on moving down from NH3 to BiH3

(ii) Reactivity towards oxygen:
The elements of group 15 form two types of oxides: E2O3 arid E2O5, where E = N, P, As, Sb or Bi. The oxide with the element in higher oxidation state is more acidic than the other. However, the acidic character decreases on moving down a group.

(iii) Reactivity towards halogens:
The group 15 element react with halogens to form two series of salts: EX3 and EX5. However, nitrogen does not form NX5 as H lacks the d-orbital. All trihalides (except NX3) are stable.

(iv) Reactivity towards metals:
The group 15 elements react with metals to form binary compounds in which these metals exhibit-3 oxidation states.


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