Question

orthophosphoric acid is non reducing whereas hypophosphorous acid is a strong reducing agent explain and justify the above statement with suitable example

Answer 1

hypophosphoric acid is a strong reducing agent then orthophosphoric acid because the former has 2 P--H  bonds which determine reducing nature of compound whereas the latter has zero P--H bonds.
hyphophosphoric acid---    H₃PO₂ has 2 P--H bonds one P--OH bonds and one P double bond O.

Answer 2

Hey dear,

● Explaination -
- Orthophosphoric acid has molecular formula H3PO4 while hypophosphorous acid have molecular formula H3PO2.
- As hypophosphorous acid have 2 P-H bonds, it reduces silver nitrate to metalic silver.
AgNO3 + H3PO2 + H2O --> Ag + H3PO4 + HNO3
- As orthophosphoric acid dont have any P-H bonds, it can't act as reducing agent.


Hope this helps you...