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Chapter 14: Problem 8

Discuss the comparative account of the properties of the trihalides of Group 15 elements.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Group 15 elements form trihalides that exhibit patterns in their physical and chemical properties. As we move down the group, reactivity increases due to rising metallic character, while bond angles decrease due to increase in atomic size and gradual drop in electronegativity. Many trihalides are colorless and crystalline, with exceptions such as PI3, AsBr3, and NI3. Nitrogen trihalides are particularly reactive and explosive apart from NF3 which has high bond dissociation energy.

Step by step solution

01

Juxtapose the trihalides

Start by listing down the group 15 elements and their respective trihalides i.e. NF3, NCl3, NBr3, NI3, PF3, PCl3, PBr3, PI3, AsF3, AsCl3, AsBr3, AsI3, SbF3, SbCl3, SbBr3, SbI3, BiF3, BiCl3, BiBr3, and BiI3.
02

Analyze Physical Properties

Now, look out for the trends in physical properties. These include color, state of matter and crystalline nature. Most trihalides of group 15 are colorless and crystalline. Some exceptions like PI3 is a red solid, AsBr3 is a yellow solid and NI3 is a black solid.
03

Examine Chemical Properties

Next, study the chemical properties including reactivity, bond angles and polarity. As we go down the group, metallic character increases which in turn increases reactivity. Likewise, the bond angles usually decrease due to increase in atomic size and gradual decrease in the electronegativity of group 15 elements.
04

Summarize findings

Summarize the properties and note any exceptions. For instance, despite NF3 being less reactive due to its high bond dissociation energy, other nitrogen trihalides such as NCl3, NBr3 and NI3 are very explosive.

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