JEE MainChemistryp Block Elements (Group 15, 16, 17 & 18)
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Nitrogen can form N₂O₅ but it does not form pentahalides like NCl₅ . Reason (R): The maximum covalency of nitrogen is restricted to four due to the absence of d-orbitals, even though it can exhibit an oxidation state of +5 . In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer f
Options
- A(A) is true but (R) is false
- BBoth (A) and (R) are true but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A)
- CBoth (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- D(A) is false but (R) is true
Correct answer
C. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Step-by-step solution
Assertion (A) is true. Nitrogen forms N₂O₅ where it exhibits an oxidation state of +5 . However, it does not form pentahalides like NCl₅ . Reason (R) is true and correctly explains the Assertion. Nitrogen belongs to the second period and has only 2s and 2p orbitals available for bonding. Due to the absence of d-orbitals in its valence shell, its maximum covalency is restricted to four. In N₂O₅ , nitrogen achieves a +5 oxidation state while maintaining a covalency of four. To form NCl₅ , nitrogen would need to form