Question

Fifth group elements form hydrides to type `AH_(3)`. The hydrides have a lone pair of electrons. The hydries are reducing in nature and the reducing power is related to the stability of A-H bonds. The hydrides are covalent and low boiling. Their boiling points depends on their ability to from hydrogen bond and their molecular size which decide the intermolcular forces in the hydrides .
The H-M-H bond angle of `V` group hydrides decrease from `107^(circ)` to `90^(circ)` for `NH_(3)` to `SbH_(3)` , this is due to:
A. Increase in strength of bases with molecular weight
B. use of pour p-orbital for M-H bonding in hydrides of higher molecular weight
C. Bond energies of M-H bonds increaase
D. Bond pairs of electrons go closer to central atom

Answer 1

Correct Answer - B
In successive hydrides starting from N to Sb, the lone pair causes distortion of M-H bonds. The bond angle decrease from `107^@` to `90^@`.This suggests tha orbitals used in M-H bonding are almost pure p-orbitals