PCl₅ exists but NCl₅ does not because:
Correct answer: A. Nitrogen lacks available d-orbitals for bonding
- A. Nitrogen lacks available d-orbitals for bonding
- B. The absence of NCl₅ is due to its instability
- C. Nitrogen's smaller atomic size prevents NCl₅ formation
- D. Nitrogen's inertness prevents NCl₅ formation
Explanation
Nitrogen is in the second period and has only s and p orbitals in its valence shell, limiting it to a maximum of four bonds. Phosphorus is in the third period and has access to empty 3d orbitals, allowing it to expand its octet and form five bonds, as in PCl₅.
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