JEE Main 2025 Apr 4 Shift 1, Chemistry Q12: Group 15 Elements: The Nitrogen Family

JEE Main2025Apr 4, Shift 1Chemistry

Given below are two statements :

Statement I : Nitrogen forms oxides with $+ 1$ to $+ 5$ oxidation states due to the formation of $p π - p π$ bond with oxygen.

Statement II : Nitrogen does not form halides with $+ 5$ oxidation state due to the absence of d-orbital in it.

In the light of given statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.

A
Statement I is true but Statement II is false
B
Both Statement I and Statement II are false
C
Statement I is false but Statement II is true
D
Both Statement I and Statement II are true

Solution

Statement I: Nitrogen achieves oxidation states from $+ 1$ (N $_{2}$ O) up to $+ 5$ (N $_{2}$ O $_{5}$ ) in its oxides. Because nitrogen lies in period 2 and is small enough for sideways overlap, it forms strong $p π$ $-$ $p π$ multiple bonds with oxygen, which is essential for accessing high oxidation states without using d-orbitals. So Statement I is correct.

Statement II: For pentahalides (e.g. NX $_{5}$ ), the central atom must accommodate 5 bond pairs, traditionally invoking $s p^{3} d$ hybridisation. Nitrogen, being a second-period element, has no accessible d-orbitals and therefore cannot form NX $_{5}$ . PCl $_{5}$ exists, but NCl $_{5}$ does not. Statement II is also correct.

$∴$ Both statements are true; option (4).

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JEE Main 2025 Apr 4 Shift 1, Chemistry Q12: Group 15 Elements: The Nitrogen Family

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