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Explain why both N and Bi do not form pentahalides while phosphorus does. |
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Answer» Solution :N does not FORM a pentahalide because it does not have d-orbitals to which 2s electron may be excited to make available FIVE half-filled orbitals needed for the formation offive N-halogen bonds. Refer to Ans. To Q .1, page 11//142. In contrast, Bi in principle, can form a pentahlide because it has VACANT 6d-orbitals to which 6s-electron can be excited to make available five half orbitals needed for the formation of five Bi - halogen bonds.  But due to inertpair effect, the energy needed for excitation of 6s-electron to 6d-orbital is much more than the energy released when two additional Bi-halogen bonds are formed. Thus, BISMUTH does not form a pentahalide (excpt `BiF_(5)`) but forms only a trihalide. |
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