Question

Explain the following:

(i) NO₂ readily forms a dimer

(ii) BiCl₃, is more stable than BiCl₅.

Answer 1

(i) It is because NO₂ contains odd number of valence electrons. On dimerisation, it is converted to stable N₂O₄ , molecule with even number of electrons.

(ii) In group-15 the stability of +5 oxidation state decreases and that of +3 oxidation state increases due to inert pair effect.

Thus, BiCl₃ , is more stable than BiCl₅.