pnictogen

Pnictogen is the name for an element of Group 15, the nitrogen group, in the periodic table. The group comprises nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), and the synthetic element moscovium (Mc). Pnictogens share a valence configuration of ns2np3, giving five valence electrons. Across the group, properties range from nonmetallic (N, P) to metalloids (As, Sb) and a metal (Bi), with Mc being highly unstable.

Chemically, pnictogens form a wide range of oxidation states, typically from −3 to +5. They produce hydrides such as NH3, PH3, AsH3, SbH3, and BiH3, as well as various oxides and oxyacids (e.g., nitrates, phosphates, arsenates, antimonates, and oxides like Bi2O3). Heavier members tend to form more metallic compounds. Nitrogen forms N2 with a strong triple bond and many nitrogen compounds; phosphorus displays several allotropes; arsenic and antimony have metallic character with several allotropes; bismuth behaves mostly as a metal.

In occurrence and use, nitrogen is abundant in Earth's atmosphere and essential for life; phosphorus is a key nutrient for plants; arsenic and antimony have historical and modern industrial uses in electronics, alloys, pigments, and pesticides, but are toxic; bismuth is used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and low-toxicity alloys; moscovium is synthetic and used only in research.

The term pnictogen comes from chemistry and designates Group 15 elements; compounds containing these elements are called pnictides. The group is also referred to as the nitrogen group.