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State the hybridization of the phosphorus atom in phosphine.

Question

State the hybridization of the phosphorus atom in phosphine.

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Solution

The hybridization of the phosphorus atom in phosphine (PH3) is sp3. Here's how we determine this:

  1. First, we need to determine the steric number of phosphorus. This is the number of atoms bonded to it (hydrogen in this case) plus the number of lone pairs of electrons. In PH3, phosphorus is bonded to three hydrogen atoms and has one lone pair of electrons. So, the steric number is 4.

  2. The steric number corresponds to the type of hybridization. A steric number of 4 corresponds to sp3 hybridization.

So, the phosphorus atom in phosphine is sp3 hybridized.

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Similar Questions

) Draw a Lewis (electron dot) structure of phosphine.(ii) State the hybridization of the phosphorus atom in phosphine.(iii) Deduce, giving your reason, whether phosphine would act as a Lewis acid, a Lewis base, or neither.(iv) Outline whether you expect the bonds in phosphine to be polar or non-polar, giving a brief reason.(v) Phosphine has a much greater molar mass than ammonia. Explain why phosphine has a significantly lower boiling point than ammonia.

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State the oxidation state of phosphorus in P4 and H2PO2−.

The number of P-O-P bridges in the structures of phosphorus pentoxide and phosphorus trioxide is

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