INORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2

CHE 212

LECT. 2
Dr. Reham El-Araby
Liquid nitrogen
a) Group 5A
Nitrogen and its
compounds.
 Group 5A

Nitrogen N7
Phosphorous P15
Arsenic As33
Antimony Sb51
Bismuth Bi83

The elements in group 5A, on the right of the periodic table

 Group 5A
• the properties of this group elements tend to be
those of the nonmetals.
Basic property of oxides increases
The metallic property increases

• Bismuth – is a metal – but its ability to

conduct electricity is weak.

• Although bismuth is a metal, it has different

properties than that of the other metals, because of
its low electric conductivity relative to the
other metals and it has a diatomic structure in its
vapor state, whereas the other metals have mono-
atomic structure.
 1-The Graduation of the Metallic and
Nonmetallic Property

• Nitrogen and phosphorus are non-metals.

• Arsenic is a semimetal, and
• Antimony and bismuth tend to be metallic, typically
forming ions with a +3 charge.
• The oxides of nitrogen and phosphorus are acidic when
dissolved in water.
• Arsenic and antimony oxides are amphoteric, and
• Bismuth oxide is basic.
 2-Different Number of Molecules Atoms of
Each Element
• Nitrogen: The molecule contains two atoms, Symbol of the molecule is N2.

• Phosphorus: its vapor has a molecule which contains four atoms, Symbol of the
molecule is P4.

• Arsenic : its vapor has a molecule which contains four atoms, Symbol of the
molecule is As4.

• Antimony : its vapor has a molecule which contains four atoms, Symbol of the
molecule is Sb4.

• Bismuth: It forms a metallic crystal lattice & its vapor consists of diatomic
molecules, Symbol of the molecule is Bi2.
3-Several oxidation numbers

Oxidation number, also called

Oxidation State, the total
number of electrons that an
atom either gains or loses in
order to form a chemical bond
with another atom.
 3-Several oxidation numbers

• Elements of this group are characterized by having

several oxidation numbers in their different compounds
from (− 3) to (+ 5), because through covalent sharing
they may gain till 3 electrons or lose till 5 electrons.

• The oxidation numbers of nitrogen in the oxygenated

compounds are positive, while that in the
hydrogenated compounds are negative because
the electronegativity of nitrogen is less than
of oxygen and higher than that of hydrogen.
Oxidation Numbers of Nitrogen in
Some of Its Compounds
 4-Several Allotropic Forms
Allotropy:
Is the presence of the element in more than one form which has
different physical properties and similar chemical ones.

• The allotropic phenomenon appears in the solid nonmetals only.

• Due to the presence of the solid nonmetal element in different
crystalline forms, each form differs in the number of atoms and in
their arrangement.
• Phosphorus: Allotropic forms are white (waxy), red, violet.
• Arsenic: Allotropic forms are black, grey, yellow (waxy yellow).
• Antimony: Allotropic forms are yellow, black.
 5-Oxides of group 5A elements

• All elements of this group form oxides have the formula:

X2O3, X2O5

• Some of these oxides are acidic, others are amphoteric and others
are basic, the basic property of these oxides increases (the acidic
property decreases) with increasing the atomic number.

•
7N: Its oxide is N2O3, N2O5, Acidic oxide.
•
15P: Its oxide is P2O3, Acidic oxide.
•
33As: Its oxide is As2O3, Acidic oxide.
•
51Sb: Its oxide is Sb2O3, amphoteric oxide.
•
83Bi: Its oxide is Bi2O3, Bi2O5, Basic oxide.
 Nitrogen
Physical Properties:
• In normal conditions nitrogen is a colorless, odorless and
tasteless gas.

▪ Nitrogen makes up around 78 % in our surrounding

atmosphere.

▪ Nitrogen is one of the primary nutrients critical for the

survival of all living organisms.
 Nitrogen
Physical Properties:

• It is lighter than air because air contains oxygen gas (32

g/mol) which is heavier than nitrogen gas (28 g/mol).

• It has a neutral effect on litmus paper.

• Its density is (1.25 g/l at STP).

• Its boiling point is (−159.79° C), it can be liquefied at this

temperature at normal atmospheric pressure.
 Nitrogen N N

• Nitrogen is an extremely stable molecule due to the triple

bond. (N≡N)
• Many nitrogen containing compounds decompose
exothermically (and sometimes explosively) to form
nitrogen gas.

Nitroglycerin TNT is the explosive that is used in bombs

 Nitrogen
• Many reactions involving nitrogen gas are endothermic.
• Compounds containing nitrogen decompose exothermically to
the elements.
 Nitrogen Fixation
• The process of transforming N2 to other nitrogen–containing
compounds.
• Atmospheric fixation (occurs naturally during thunderstorm):

• N2(g) + O2(g) → 2NO(g); DHo =180 kJ

• 2NO(g) + O2(g) → 2NO2(g); DHo = -112 kJ

• 3NO2(g) + H2O(l) → 2HNO3(aq) + NO(g); DHo = -140 kJ

 Biological Nitrogen Fixation

• Fixation of atmospheric N2 by bacteria living in soils and

water; some live in root nodules;

• Plants such as legumes and alfalfa have root nodules that

contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria – they benefit directly from
these bacteria;

• Other plants benefit when the bacteria die and release

absorbable forms of nitrogen (NH3, NH4+, and NO3-) to the
soils.
 Industrial Nitrogen Fixation
• Industrial Fixation (the Haber Process):

N2(g) + 3H2(g) → 2NH3(g)

• Most NH3 Are Converted To:

1. Fertilizers (~70%)
2. Nitric acid, HNO3 (~20%)
3. Hydrazine, N2H4, and monomers for various plastics
and nylons.
 Uses of Nitrogen Compounds

• Ammonia, synthesized from nitrogen and hydrogen using the

Haber process, is used to make fertilizers, explosives and nitric
acid.

• Dinitrogen oxide, N2O, is used as “laughing gas”, a dental

anesthetic.
 Environmental Issues

• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and dinitrogen tetra-oxide (N2O4) are in

equilibrium with each other:

N2O4(g) ↔ 2 NO2(g)
colorless red-brown

• The oxides of nitrogen are the result of high temperature

combustion in jet engines and automobiles.

• The compounds cause the reddish brown smog seen over some
cities on a sunny day.
 Environmental Issues

• They also react with moisture in the air to produce nitric

acid and nitrous acid.

• This “acid rain” is a respiratory irritant, and destroys facades

of buildings and statuary.
2 nd Assignment for next week:

(Use the internet to answer)

What is the scientific meaning of the following
terms:
3-Critical Temperature & Pressure.
4-Flash point temperature.
5-Azeotrope boiling point temperature.