Why does the reactivity of nitrogen differ from phosphorus?
Nitrogen atom can bond with another nitrogen atom by strong pπ–pπ overlap resulting in N≡N. The triple bond in N2 has high bond strength resulting in high bond dissociation energy. Phosphorous do not show this property of pπ–pπ overlap. Hence, nitrogen is less reactive than phosphorous.
The p-orbitals which interact to form two π bonds in N2 molecule are shown by joining them with a curve line.
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