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| 1. |
Explain why NH_(3) is basic while BiH_(4) is only feebly basic. |
| Answer» Solution :Both N in `NH_(3)andBi" in "BiH_(3)` have a lone pair of ELECTRONS on the CENTRAL atom and hence should behave as LEWIS bases. But `NH_(3)` is much more BASIC than `BiH_(3)`. This can be explained on the basis of electron density on the central atom. Since the atomic size of N (70 pm) is much smaller than that of Bi (148 pm), therefore, electron density on the N-atom is much HIGHER than that on Bi-atom. Consequently. the tendency of N in `NH_(3)` to donate its pair of electrons is much higher than that of Bi in `BH_(3)`. Thus, `NH_(3)` is much more basic than `BH_(3)`. | |