In which species does phosphorous have an oxidation number of zero? In which species does phosphorous have an oxidation number of zero? P4 (elemental phosphorous) HPO2 Li3PO3 H3PO4 PH3

2 Answers
Mar 24, 2018

#P_4#

Explanation:

Phosphorus in #P_4# has a oxidation number of zero.

This is because every element in its elemental state has zero oxidation state.

Mar 24, 2018

#P_4#

Explanation:

In #P_4# the electron density is shared equally between all of the atoms of Phosphorus leaving all them with zero oxidation state.

In # HPO_2# Phosphorus has a charge of +3

# H = 1 xx H = 1 xx + 1 = +1#
# O_2 = 2 xx O = 2 xx -2 = -4 #

# +1 + P + -4 = 0# ( a compound always = 0)

# P +1 -4 = 0#

# P - 3 = 0 # adding 3 to both sides gives

# P = +3 #

In # Li_3PO_3# P has a charge of +3
# Li_3 = 3 xx Li = 3 xx + 1 = +3#
# O_3 = 3 xx O = 3 xx -2 = -6 #

# +3 + P + (-6) = 0 #

# P + 3 -6 = 0#

# P - 3 = 0# adding 3 to both sides gives

# P = +3 #

In # H_3 P O_4# P has a charge of +5

# H_3 = 3 xx H = 3 xx +1 = +3 #
# O_4 = 4 xx O = 4 xx -2 = -8 #

# + 3 + P + (-8) = 0#

# P + 3 -8 = 0 #

# P -5 = 0 # adding five to both sides gives

# P = +5#

in # PH_3# P = -3
# H_3 = 3 xx H = 3 xx +1 = +3# so

# P + 3 = 0 # subtract 3 from both sides gives

# P = -3 #

All the other compounds give species of phosphorus that have non-zero oxidation state.Only phosphorus in elemental phosphorus has zero oxidation state .