Chemistry · Quantum mechanical approach to covalent bonding: Valence bond theory its important features, the concept of hybridization involving s, p and d orbitals, resonance

Nitrogen does not show pentacovalency because of:

Nitrogen does not show pentacovalency because of:

  • A. absence of s-orbitals
  • B. absence of d-orbitals
  • C. its small size
  • D. none of these

Step-by-step solution

Nitrogen is in the second period and has only s and p orbitals in its valence shell. Pentacovalency would require five covalent bonds, which typically requires the use of d-orbitals (e.g., sp³d hybridization) to accommodate more than four bonds. Since nitrogen lacks d-orbitals, it cannot expand its octet and does not show pentacovalency.
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