Question

\(PCl_5\) is well known, but \(NCl_5\) is not. Because,

• A. nitrogen is less reactive than phosphorous
• B. nitrogen doesn’t have d-orbitals in its valence shell.
• C. catenation tendency is weaker in nitrogen than phosphorous.
• D. size of phosphorous is larger than nitrogen

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

\(PCl_5\) is well known but \(NCl_5\) is not because nitrogen does not have vacant d-orbitals in its valence shell. 
So, nitrogen cannot expand its octet. 
On the other hand phosphorus has vacant d-orbitals in its valence shell which enables it to expand its octet.

Therefore, the correct option is (B): nitrogen doesn’t have d-orbitals in its valence shell.