MCQEasyJEE 2025Group 15 Elements

JEE Chemistry 2025 Question with Solution

Given below are two statements:

Statement I: Nitrogen forms oxides with +1 to +5 oxidation states due to the formation of pπpπ\mathrm{p} \pi-\mathrm{p} \pi bond with oxygen.

Statement II: Nitrogen does not form halides with +5 oxidation state due to the absence of d-orbital in it.

In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  • A

    Statement I is true but Statement II is false

  • B

    Both Statement I and Statement II are false

  • C

    Statement I is false but Statement II is true

  • D

    Both Statement I and Statement II are true

Answer

Correct answer:D

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Two statements about nitrogen, its oxides, and its halides are to be checked.

Find: Which option correctly identifies the truth values of Statement I and Statement II.

  1. Statement I: Nitrogen forms oxides with oxidation states from +1+1 to +5+5.

Nitrogen indeed forms oxides such as N2O\mathrm{N_2O}, NO\mathrm{NO}, N2O3\mathrm{N_2O_3}, NO2\mathrm{NO_2}, and N2O5\mathrm{N_2O_5}, showing oxidation states from +1+1 to +5+5.

Nitrogen can form multiple bonds with oxygen through pπpπ\mathrm{p} \pi-\mathrm{p} \pi bonding, which helps stabilize these oxides.

Therefore, Statement I is true.

  1. Statement II: Nitrogen does not form halides with +5+5 oxidation state due to the absence of d-orbital.

Nitrogen belongs to the second period and has no d-orbitals. Because of this, it cannot expand its octet, which is required for forming halides in the +5+5 oxidation state.

Hence nitrogen commonly forms halides like NF3\mathrm{NF_3}, where its maximum oxidation state is +3+3, and not +5+5.

Therefore, Statement II is also true.

Conclusion: Both statements are true. The correct option is D.

Statement-wise Check

Given: Two statements on the chemistry of nitrogen are provided.

Find: Decide the correct option by examining each statement separately.

For Statement I, the solution states that nitrogen forms several oxides, namely N2O\mathrm{N_2O}, NO\mathrm{NO}, N2O3\mathrm{N_2O_3}, NO2\mathrm{NO_2}, and N2O5\mathrm{N_2O_5}. These correspond to oxidation states ranging from +1+1 to +5+5. The statement further attributes this to the formation of pπpπ\mathrm{p} \pi-\mathrm{p} \pi bonding with oxygen. Hence, Statement I is true.

For Statement II, nitrogen is a second-period element and does not have vacant d-orbitals. Therefore, it cannot expand its octet to form halides in the +5+5 oxidation state. As noted in the solution, nitrogen forms compounds like NF3\mathrm{NF_3} rather than a +5+5 halide. Hence, Statement II is true.

Conclusion: Since both Statement I and Statement II are true, the correct option is D.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming that all higher oxidation states in p-block compounds require d-orbitals is incorrect. In oxides of nitrogen, stabilization is explained here through effective pπpπ\mathrm{p} \pi-\mathrm{p} \pi bonding with oxygen. Check the bonding situation separately for oxides and halides.

  • Confusing the maximum oxidation state of nitrogen in oxides with that in halides leads to error. Nitrogen can reach +5+5 in oxides, but not in halides like fluorides. Compare the ligand and bonding requirements before choosing the option.

  • Marking Statement II false because phosphorus forms +5+5 halides is wrong. Nitrogen and phosphorus behave differently because nitrogen is a second-period element without d-orbitals. Do not generalize behavior across the whole group without considering period-wise differences.

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