3i think its due to the absence of d orbital in nitrogen.
Why elemental nitrogen exists as diatomic molecule whereas elemental phosphorous as tetra atomic and elemental sulphur as octahedral ?
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3 Answers
1i think N2 molecule contains a triple bond i.e. N≡N ,which is very stable due to effective p\pi - p\pi overlapping and the bond dissisiation energy is also too high for this conformation ; thats why also N2 is inert at room temperature.
if it'll form higher structures , then it'll form non-planar bonds ,being much reactive at even room temperature.thus it has tendency to form dis molecule only.