Question

 Assign the appropriate reason for the following :
(i) Nitrogen exists as diatomic molecule and phosphorus as P₄ at room
temperature. Why ?
(ii) Why does R₃P = O exist but R₃N = O does not ? (R = an alkyl group).
(iii) Why is N₂ unreactive at room temperature ?

Answer 1

[Hint : (i) Due to its small size and high electronegativity, N forms  multiple bond (N = N) whereas P does not for  bonds but forms P – P single bond.
(ii) In R₃N = O, N should have a covalence of 5 so the compound R₃N = O does not exist since maximum covalence shown by N cannot exceed 4.]