Question

The oxidation state of phoshorus varies from

• A. $-1$ to $+1$
• B. $-3$ to $+3$
• C. $-3$ to $+5$
• D. $-5$ to $+1$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $-3$ to $+5$

Electronic shell configuration of phosphorus:${1s}^2{2s}^2{2p}^6{3s}^2{3p}^3$

Electrons present in outermost shell is 5 so they need three more electrons to complete their octet so they can show oxidation state of -3.They can also show -1, and -2 oxidation states.They can also lose electrons and maximum number of electrons they can lose is 5 so they can show maximum oxidation state of +5.Phosphorus can also show lower oxidation states such as +1,+2 etc.

So the oxidation state of phosphorus varies from -3 to +5.