Question

Identify the correct statements with reference to the given reaction $P_4+3O{H}^{-}+3H_{2}O\to P{H}_3+3H_{2}P{O}_2^{-}$

• A. Phosphorus is undergoing reduction only.
• B. Phosphorus is undergoing oxidation only.
• C. Phosphorus is undergoing oxidation as well as reduction.
• D. Hydrogen is undergoing neither oxidation nor reduction.

Answer 1

Answer: (C), (D)

Hydrogen is undergoing neither oxidation nor reduction.

Reaction given:
$P_4+3O{H}^{-}+3H_{2}O\to P{H}_3+3H_{2}P{O}_2^{-}$
$P_4=0O=-2H=+1P=-3P=+1$
$H=+1O=-2H=+1O=-2H=+1$

Here,
The oxidation state of phosphorus is increasing from $0$ in $P_4$ to $+1$ in $H_{2}P{O}_2^{-}$ , which signifies that $P_4$ is getting oxidized to $H_{2}P{O}_2^{-}$.

Also, the oxidation state of phosphorus is decreasing from $0$ in $P_4$ to $-3$ in $P{H}_3$, which signifies that $P_4$ is getting reduced to $P{H}_3$ Thus, $P_4$ is undergoing oxidation as well as reduction
From the reaction given, it is observed that oxidation state of hydrogen is $+1$ throughout the reaction, in both reactant and product sides, which signifies that hydrogen is undergoing neither oxidation nor reduction

Hence, the correct options are $\left(C\right)$ and $\left(D\right)$.