Question

Which of the following are correct statements about white phosphorus $\left(P_4\right)$ ?

• A. Each P atom has one lone pair of electrons in a molecule of $P_4$.
• B. It has tetrahedral structure with ${109}^{\circ }{28}^{\prime }$ bond angle.
• C. There are six P-P linkages in a molecule of $P_4$
• D. It undergoes dispropartionation on reaction with alkalies.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (C), (D)

The correct options are
A Each P atom has one lone pair of electrons in a molecule of $P_4$.
C There are six P-P linkages in a molecule of $P_4$
D It undergoes dispropartionation on reaction with alkalies.

A) Out of five valence electrons of P atom, 3 electrons are involved in bond formation with three other P atoms and one lone pair is remaining.
Thus, statement A is correct.

B) White phosphorus has a pyramidal structure with a bond angle of ${60}^0$.
Thus, statement B is incorrect.

C) A $P_4$ molecule has six P-P bonds.
Thus, statement C is correct.

D) White phosphorus disproportionates on reaction with alkalis.

$P_4+3NaOH+3H_{2}O\to \underset{sodiumhypophosphite}{3Na{H}_{2}P{O}_2}+\underset{phosphine}{P{H}_3}$

Thus, the statement D is correct.