Question

Which of the following statements is/are true about $P_4{O}_6$ and $P_4{O}_{10}$?

• A. Both of these oxides have a closed cage like structure
• B. Each oxide requires 6 molecules of water for complete hydrolysis to form their respective oxoacids
• C. Both of these oxides contain 12 equivalent $P-O$ bonds
• D. $P_4{O}_6$ and $P_4{O}_{10}$ both contains $p\pi -p\pi$ bonds

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

The correct options are
A Both of these oxides contain 12 equivalent $P-O$ bonds
B Each oxide requires 6 molecules of water for complete hydrolysis to form their respective oxoacids
C Both of these oxides have a closed cage like structure

From the figure, it can be seen that both these oxides have a closed cage-like structure.

Both of these oxides have 12 equivalent $P-O$ bonds.

The hydrolysis reaction takes place as:

$P_4{O}_6+6H_{2}O\left(cold\right)\to 4H_{3}P{O}_3$ (phosphorus acid)
$P_4{O}_{10}+6H_{2}O\left(hot\right)\to 4H_{3}P{O}_4$ (phosphoric acid)

Hence, option A, B and C are correct.