Question

Give an example of a radical which is trivalent?

Answer 1

Trivalent radical:

• A trivalent radical is a cation or anion having a valence of the radical as three.
• Cationic and anionic trivalent radicals are respectively called basic trivalent and acidic trivalent radicals.
• Examples are ${\mathrm{Al}}^{+3}$(Aluminium ion), ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{+3}$(Chromium ion), ${{\mathrm{PO}}_4}^{3-}$(Phosphate ion),${\mathrm{N}}^{3-}$(Nitride ion), etc.

Hence, an example of a radical which is trivalent is ${{\mathrm{PO}}_4}^{3-}$(Phosphate ion).