The p-Block Elements

Question

(Oxides of nitrogen have open chain structures while those of phosphorus have closed chain or cage structures). Why is it so? Illustrate with one structural example for each type of oxides.

Answer

Nitrogen is small in size and have ability to form multiple bonding with oxygen.thus oxides of nitrogen have open chain structures. For example N2O5.




On other hand phosphorus due to its larger size does not form this type of multiple bonds with oxygen but instead forms single bonds and forms oxides with cage like structure.
For example P4O10.

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