Question:medium

The basic character of hydrides of the 15 group elements decreases in the order

Updated On: May 26, 2026
  • $SbH_3 > PH_3 > AsH_3 > NH_3$
  • $NH_3 > SbH_3 > PH_3 > AsH_3$
  • $NH_3 > PH_3 > AsH_3 > SbH_3$
  • $SbH_3 > AsH_3 > PH_3 > NH_3$
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The question asks about the decreasing order of basic character for hydrides of Group 15 elements. Let's understand the concept to arrive at the correct answer:

Group 15 elements include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), and antimony (Sb). The basic nature of their hydrides depends on the capacity of the element to donate a lone pair of electrons. This ability decreases down the group due to increased atomic size and decreased electronegativity.

  1. Nitrogen (NH3): Ammonia is the most basic among these hydrides due to the small size of nitrogen and high electronegativity, allowing effective donation of its lone pair.
  2. Phosphorus (PH3): Phosphine is less basic than ammonia. Compared to nitrogen, phosphorus is larger and less electronegative, resulting in reduced ability to donate electrons.
  3. Arsenic (AsH3): Arsenic hydride has even lesser basic character than phosphine due to increased atomic size and further reduced electronegativity.
  4. Antimony (SbH3): Stibine is the least basic among them. This is due to its large atomic size and minimal electronegativity, making it the least capable of donating a lone pair.

Thus, the basic character decreases in the order:

NH_3 > PH_3 > AsH_3 > SbH_3

This reasoning aligns perfectly with the given correct option:

NH_3 > PH_3 > AsH_3 > SbH_3

Therefore, the correct answer is the option that states this order.

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