How many compound given below are amphoteric oxides? \(\mathrm{P}_2 \mathrm{O}_5, \mathrm{P}_4 \mathrm{O}_6,…
How many compound given below are amphoteric oxides?
\(\mathrm{P}_2 \mathrm{O}_5, \mathrm{P}_4 \mathrm{O}_6, \mathrm{As}_2 \mathrm{O}_5, \mathrm{As}_4 \mathrm{O}_6, \mathrm{Sb}_2 \mathrm{O}_5, \mathrm{Sb}_4 \mathrm{O}_6, \mathrm{Bi}_2 \mathrm{O}_3\)
2
3
4
6
Solution
The oxides of the type \(\stackrel{+3}{E_2} \mathrm{O}_3\) of \(\mathrm{N}\) and \(\mathrm{P}, \mathrm{P}_2 \mathrm{O}_3\) \(\left(\mathrm{P}_4 \mathrm{O}_6\right.\), dimer of \(\left.\mathrm{P}_2 \mathrm{O}_3\right)\) are purely acidic, that of \(\mathrm{As}\) \(\left(\mathrm{As}_4 \mathrm{O}_6\right.\), dimer of \(\left.\mathrm{As}_2 \mathrm{O}_3\right)\) and \(\mathrm{Sb}\left(\mathrm{Sb}_4 \mathrm{O}_6\right.\), dimer of \(\left.\mathrm{Sb}_2 \mathrm{O}_3\right)\) amphoteric and that of \(\mathrm{Bi}\left(\mathrm{Bi}_2 \mathrm{O}_3\right)\) is predominantly basic.
The oxides of the type \({ }_{E_2}^{+5} \mathrm{O}_5\) are more acidic, e.g. \(\mathrm{N}_2 \mathrm{O}_5, \mathrm{P}_2 \mathrm{O}_5, \mathrm{As}_2 \mathrm{O}_5, \mathrm{Sb}_2 \mathrm{O}_5\)
So, in the given set of oxides of group- 15 elements, two oxides are amphoteric, \(\mathrm{As}_4 \mathrm{O}_6\) and \(\mathrm{Sb}_4 \mathrm{O}_6\).