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Periodicity

Oxidation states: Nitrogen exhibits a long range of oxidation states (-3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2,
+3, +4 and +5) while other group 15 elements have a few oxidation states (-3, 0, +3, +5).
Physical state of elements: All Group 15 elements are solid at room temperature except
nitrogen which is a gas.
Physical state of oxides: All Group 15 elements form solid oxides except nitrogen which
forms gaseous oxides.
Formation of X3–: Group 15 elements do not form X3– ion except nitrogen which forms
azide ion (N3– ) due to its small size and high electronegativity of nitrogen. The azide ion
is found in sodium azide (NaN3), hydrazoic acid (HN3) with the oxidation state of
nitrogen being -1/3.
Atomicity in the vapour phase: All Group 15 elements exist as tetraatomic molecules in
their vapour phase except nitrogen which is diatomic.

(f) Anomalous behaviour of oxygen in group 16:

The anomalous behaviour of oxygen is mainly due to its small atomic size, high
electronegativity, high ionisation energy, absence of empty d-orbitals in its valence shell.
Some properties shown by oxygen and its compounds but not shown by other group 16
elements and their compounds are given below.
Oxidation states: All the group 16 elements form the +4 and +6 oxidation states except
oxygen. This is due to the absence of empty d-orbitals in the valence shell of oxygen.
Formation of hydrogen bonds: The hydrides formed by group 16 elements do not form
hydrogen bonds except the hydrides of oxygen (H2O, H2O2). This is due high
electronegativity of oxygen. Oxygen is the second most electronegative element. Thus
oxygen hydrides are liquids are room temperature while the rest of the group 16 hydrides
are gases.
Physical state of elements: All Group 16 elements are solid at room temperature except
oxygen which is a gas.
Atomicity: All Group 16 elements exist as octaatomic (S8, Se8, Te8) molecules in nature
except oxygen which is diatomic in nature (O2).
Magnetic property: All Group 16 elements are diamagnetic in nature except oxygen
which is paramagnetic in nature.

(g) Anomalous behaviour of fluorine in group 17 (halogen group):

The anomalous behaviour of fluorine is mainly due to its small atomic size, high
electronegativity, high ionisation energy, absence of empty d-orbitals in its valence shell.
Some properties shown by fluorine and its compounds but not shown by other group 17
elements and their compounds are given below.
Reaction with water: Fluorine is the only group 17 element that releases ozone from
water. This is because it is the most electronegative element.
3F2(g) + 3H2O(l) → 6HF(aq) + O3(g).
Formation of sulphur hexahalide: All group 17 elements do not form hexhalides with
sulphur except fluorine that combine with sulphur to form sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
This is due to the small size and high electronegativity of fluorine.
S(s) + 3F2(g) → SF6(g).
Reaction with alkaline: Fluorine reacts with alkaline oxygen difluoride (OF2) other
group 17 elements disproportionate in alkaline to form halides and halites or halates
depending on the condition. This is because fluorine is the most electronegative element.
F2(g) + 2NaOH(s) → OF2(g) + 2NaF(aq) + H2O(l).
Reaction with carbon: Fluorine is the only group 17 element that reacts with carbon to
form fluorocarbons (CF4, C2F4). This is because fluorine is the most electronegative
element.
3F2(g) + C(s) → CF4(g).

THE NEN SERIES A-Level chemistry notes 2023-2024 school year prepared by Nkemzi E.N