Question

During the quantitative estimation of phosphorous present in an organic compound, phosphorous is:

• A. Reduced
• B. Oxidized
• C. Both Oxidized and reduced
• D. None of these

Answer 1

The correct option is B Oxidized

The phosphorus present in an organic compound is oxidized to phosphoric acid by heating with fuming nitric acid. The phosphoric acid so obtained is precipitated as $MgNH4PO4,$ which on ignition is converted into $Mg2P2O7.$ From the mass of $Mg2P2O7,$ the mass of phosphorus present in the sample of the organic compound can be calculated.