Question

Nitrogen can form only one chloride with chlorine which is $NC{l}_3$ whereas $P$ can form $PC{l}_3$ and $PC{l}_5$. This is

• A. due to absence of $d$-orbitals in nitrogen
• B. due to difference in size of $N$ and $P$
• C. due to higher reactivity of $P$ towards $Cl$ than $N$
• D. due to presence of multiple bonding in nitrogen

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Nitrogen due to its unavailability of $d$ - orbitals it can form only one chloride i.e, $NC{l}_3$.
Whereas $P$ has vacant $d$ - orbital and hence can expand its octet, thus can form $PC{l}_5$.