Phosphinic acid acid is stronger reducing agent than phosphonic acid why
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A reducing agent must be oxidized itself. That means that H3PO3, phosphorus acid, must be able to be oxidized if it is going to be a reducing agent. The oxidation and reduction processes always occur in pairs.
Phosphoric acid, H3PO4, is unable to be oxidized because P is in its highest oxidation state. That is why phosphorous acid is a better reducing agent. The link shows some information concerning the ability of H3PO3 to be a reducing agent.
When H3PO3 reduces another compound it is oxidized from P^+3 to P^+5. Since P in H3PO4 is already in the +5 oxidation state it can go no further.
Hope this is helpful to
Phosphoric acid, H3PO4, is unable to be oxidized because P is in its highest oxidation state. That is why phosphorous acid is a better reducing agent. The link shows some information concerning the ability of H3PO3 to be a reducing agent.
When H3PO3 reduces another compound it is oxidized from P^+3 to P^+5. Since P in H3PO4 is already in the +5 oxidation state it can go no further.
Hope this is helpful to
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