Question

“Orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4
) is not a reducing agent whereas hypophosphorus acid

(H3PO2
) is a strong reducing agent.” Explain and justify the above statement with the

help of a suitable example.

Answer 1

In H3PO4 oxidation no. of P is +5 which is its highest so it can't act as reducing agent while in H3PO2 oxidation no. of P is +1 so can act as reducing agent. Example I don't remember.