Question

Aqueous sodium hydroxide reacts with white phosphorous to form phosphine and :

• A. $Na{H}_{2}P{O}_2$
• B. $P_2{O}_5$
• C. $N{a}_{2}P{O}_3$
• D. $P_2{O}_3$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $Na{H}_{2}P{O}_2$

Aqueous sodium hydroxide solution reacts with white phosphorous to form phosphine $\left(P{H}_3\right)$ and sodium hypophosphite $\left(Na{H}_{2}P{O}_2\right)$.

The reaction is as follows:

$P_4+3NaOH+3H_{2}O\to P{H}_3\uparrow +3Na{H}_{2}P{O}_2$