Please help...
What is the maximum bonds nitrogen can make and what would be its maximum oxidation number then?

Question

Please help...
What is the maximum bonds nitrogen can make and what would be its maximum oxidation number then?

kc_kennylau · Answer

Is $NO_2$'s oxidation number big enough lol

kc_kennylau · Answer

according to wikipedia, maximum is 5

kc_kennylau · Answer

and personally I feel that $NH_4^+$ has the most bonded nitrogen, i.e. 4

anonymous · Answer

why not HNO3 ???

kc_kennylau · Answer

Oh wow that is smart :)
so the maximum oxidation is 5 as in $\mbox{HNO}_3$
and the maximum bonding is 4 as in $\mbox{HNO}_3$

anonymous · Answer

Now if N has  1 s-orbital containing 2 electrons and 1 p-orbital containing 3 electrons in the outermost shell then how is it making 4 bonds and accomodating 4 more electrons?

kc_kennylau · Answer

attachment

kc_kennylau · Answer

well ok the hydrogen is not bonded with the nitrogen lol
so the example for 4 bonds would be $\mbox{NH}_4^+$?

anonymous · Answer

But still a oxygen makes double bond with nitrogen. Hence it makes 4 bonds in HNO3