How would you account for the following : (i) The electron gain enthalpy with negative sign is less for oxygen than that for sulphur. (ii) Phosphorus shows greater tendency for catenation than nitrogen. (iii) Fluorine never acts as the central atom in polyatomic interhalogen compounds.

How would you account for the following : (i) The electron gain entha

1.	How would you account for the following : (i) The electron gain enthalpy with negative sign is less for oxygen than that for sulphur. (ii) Phosphorus shows greater tendency for catenation than nitrogen. (iii) Fluorine never acts as the central atom in polyatomic interhalogen compounds.
Answer» Solution :(i) Electron gain enthalpy with NEGATIVE sign is less for OXYGEN than for sulphur because of small size of oxygen atom, when an electron is added interelectronic repulsion increases hence, addition of electron in sulphur is favoured. (ii) Phosphorus SHOWS greater TENDENCY for catenation than nitrogen because of high bond enthalpy values. The `P - P` single bond STRENGTH greater than `N - N` single bond strength. (iii) Fluorine never acts as the central atom in polyatomic interhalogen compounds because of its high electronegativity and high ionisation energy.