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Q.Why is BiH3 the strongest reducing agent amongst all the hydrides of Group 15 elements ?

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✓ Free question

Step 1 — Trend in atomic size.

Down Group 15, atomic radius increases: N < P < As < Sb < Bi.

Step 2 — Effect on bond enthalpy and stability.

Larger central atoms form longer, weaker E–H bonds with poorer orbital overlap, so bond dissociation enthalpy decreases down the group:

NH3>PH3>AsH3>SbH3>BiH3(thermal stability, decreasing)NH_3 > PH_3 > AsH_3 > SbH_3 > BiH_3 \quad (\text{thermal stability, decreasing})

Step 3 — Reducing power.

A weaker, less stable hydride more readily releases hydrogen (acts as a hydrogen-atom/electron donor) to reduce other species. Since BiH3BiH_3 has the weakest bond and is the least thermally stable, it is the most reactive/easily decomposed and hence the strongest reducing agent of the series.

✓Final answer

BiH3BiH_3 is the strongest reducing agent among Group 15 hydrides because bismuth, being the largest atom in the group, forms the weakest E–H bond — the least thermally stable hydride, which most readily gives up hydrogen and reduces other substances.

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