Pnictogen Definition

Chemistry Glossary Definition of Pnictogen

Pnictogens highlighted on Periodic Table of Elements
Pnictogens are members of the nitrogen group of elements. Todd Helmenstine
By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on July 24, 2017

A pnictogen is a member of the nitrogen group of elements, Group 15 of the periodic table (formerly numbered as Group V or Group VA). This group consists of nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, and ununpentium. The pnictogens are noted for their ability to form stable compounds, thanks to their tendency to form double and triple covalent bonds. The pnictogens are solids at room temperature, except for nitrogen, which is a gas.

Move down the periodic table from nitrogen to find the members of the nitrogen family.
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Nitrogen Family of Elements
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

The defining characteristic of pnictogens is that atoms of these elements have 5 electrons in their outer electron shell. There are 2 paired electrons in the s subshell and 3 unpaired electrons in the p subshell, putting these elements 3 electrons shy of filling the outermost shell.

 Binary compounds from this group are termed pnictides. 

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Pnictogen Definition." ThoughtCo, Sep. 7, 2021, thoughtco.com/definition-of-pnictogen-604610. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2021, September 7). Pnictogen Definition. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-pnictogen-604610 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Pnictogen Definition." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-pnictogen-604610 (accessed April 26, 2024).