Question

What are the oxidation states of phosphrous in the following?

$H_{3}P{O}_3$

$PC{l}_3$

$C{a}_3{P}_2$

$N{a}_{3}P{O}_4$

$PO{F}_3$

Answer 1

Let the oxidation state of phosphrous be x.

(i) $H_{3}P{O}_3(3\times +1)+x+(3x-2)=0x=+3$

(ii) $PC{l}_{3}x+(3\times -1)x=+3$

(iii) $C{a}_3{P}_2(3\times +2)+2xx=-3$

(iv) $N{a}_{3}P{O}_4(3\times 1)+x+(4x-2)x=+5$

(v) $PO{F}_{3}x+(-2)+(3x-1)x=+5$