In the following questions two or more options may be correct.

Which of the following elements can show covalency greater than 4?



Vacant d-orbitals in elements allows transfer of electrons after unpairing electrons from s and p orbitals. D- orbitals are present in P and S due to which they can accommodate extra electrons which increases their covalency.

In excited state sulphur has a valency of six due to six unpaired electrons. Similarly in phosphorous it has a valency of 5 in the excited state due to the presence of the 5 unpaired electrons.


For example,


Sulphur configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4


Sulphur configuration excited state: 1s2 2s2 2p63s13p33d2


Phosphorous configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p3


Phosphorous configuration excited state: 1s2 2s2 2p63s1 3p33d1

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