Phosphorus Chemistry (2)
P4O6 + 6 H2O ? 4 H3PO3 - phosphorus acid
H3PO3 is a weak di-protic acid
WHY ONLY 2 IONIZABLE hydrogens ?
P (III) oxide and its acid are easily oxidized to P (V) so
they act as REDUCING agents:
Cu2+(aq) + H3PO3(aq) + 3 H2O ? Cu (s) + H3PO4(aq) + 2H3O+
The P-H bond is strong and non-polar - not ionizable