Question

no. of P--O--P bridges in structure of P4O10 and P4O6 are respectively?

plz explain how you arrived at this conclusion.

Answer 1

There are 6 P--O--P bridges in the chemical structure of $P_{4}O_{10}$ and $P_{4}O_{6}$.

$P_{4}O_{10}$ and $P_{4}O_{6}$ are complex molecules consisting of large number of Phosphorus-Oxygen-Phosphorous brigdes.

Refer to the diagram to understand the chemical structure.

Now , in $P_{4}O_{10}$ molecules , Phosphorus is present in its highest oxidation state i.e. +5 state.

Whereas , in $P_{4}O_{6}$ , Phosphorus is present in a comparatively lower oxidation state i.e. +3 state.

The P--O--P bonds are otherwise known as Bridging Bonds because they are present in a 3D manner . Particularly the two middle Bridge Bonds in these molecules are present at different levels.