Question

Draw structure of H3PO3 given that H3PO3 p has oxidation number 4 and H,P have same electronegativity. Answer only if you're absolutely sure about it. Please no spam.

Answer 1

Explanation:

As Phosphorus has oxidation state 4 it shares all over 4 electrons to form the compound. Here one might say that 5 electrons are shared by phosphorus as there is a double bond with oxygen(O). But we must remember the condition that the electronegativity of hydrogen(H) and phosphorus(P) is same. Thus the electron shared with hydrogen by phosphorus does not have any effect on the oxidation number and the oxidation number of phosphorus(P) remains as 4.