Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Statement I and the other is labelled as Statement II. Statement I : N ( CH 3 ) 3 and P ( CH 3 ) 3 can act as ligands to form transition metal complexes. Statement II: As N and P are from same group, the nature of bonding of N ( CH 3 ) 3 and P ( CH 3 ) 3 is always same with transition metals. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct

Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect

Chemistry · p-Block Elements (Group 15-18)

JEE Main 2024 — 8 April, Shift 1 — Question 68

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Statement I and the other is labelled as Statement II.

Statement I : $\mathrm{N}\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{3}$ and $\mathrm{P}\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{3}$ can act as ligands to form transition metal complexes.

Statement II: As $\mathrm{N}$ and $\mathrm{P}$ are from same group, the nature of bonding of $\mathrm{N}\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{3}$ and $\mathrm{P}\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{3}$ is always same with transition metals.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Option A:
Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Option B:
Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
Option C:
Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
Correct
Option D:
Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect

Answer: C

Step-by-step solution

Statement I is Correct: Both $\mathrm{N(CH_3)_3}$ (trimethylamine) and $\mathrm{P(CH_3)_3}$ (trimethylphosphine) contain a lone pair of electrons on the central atom. Hence, both can act as Lewis bases and donate this lone pair to a transition metal ion to form coordinate bonds, i.e., they can act as ligands.

Statement II is Incorrect: Although nitrogen and phosphorus belong to the same group (Group 15), the nature of bonding of $\mathrm{N(CH_3)_3}$ and $\mathrm{P(CH_3)_3}$ with transition metals is not always the same. $\mathrm{N(CH_3)_3}$ acts mainly as a $\sigma$ -donor ligand, whereas $\mathrm{P(CH_3)_3}$ can act as both a $\sigma$ -donor and a $\pi$ -acceptor due to the availability of vacant $3d$ orbitals on phosphorus.

Thus, the correct answer is Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.

Answer key and solution verified before publishing.

Practise p-Block Elements (Group 15-18)

Start with this question, then two more from the same chapter — with a tutor that explains every step. Free.

Solve a similar one free

Exam: JEE Main 2024
Paper: 8 April, Shift 1
Subject: Chemistry
Chapter: p-Block Elements (Group 15-18)
Topic: Comparisons between the different compounds formed by Group 15 elements

Among the following halogens F 2, Cl 2, Br 2 and I 2 Which can undergo disproportionation reaction?

Answer: C

Step-by-step solution

Practise p-Block Elements (Group 15-18)

More p-Block Elements (Group 15-18) questions from this paper