Strong reducing behaviour of H₃PO₂ is due to:

2 2015 AIPMT-II The p-Block Elements Oxoacids of phosphorus Easy

Strong reducing behaviour of $H_3PO_2$ is due to:

A High oxidation state of phosphorus

B Presence of two –OH groups and one P–H bond

C Presence of one –OH group and two P–H bonds

D High electron gain enthalpy of phosphorus

Detailed Solution

Oxoacids of phosphorus that contain P–H bonds act as reducing agents.

$H_3PO_2$ has one –OH group and two P–H bonds, which make it a strong reducing agent.

4 questions from this chapter have appeared across 4 exam years.