Question

Phosphorus on reaction with NaOH produces $PH_{3}$and $NaH_{2}PO_{2}.$ This reaction is an example of.

• A. Oxidation
• B. Reduction
• C. Disproportionation
• D. Displacement.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Disproportionation

Answer 2

$\overset{0}{P} + 3NaOH + 3H_{2}O \rightarrow 3NaH_{2}{\overset{+ 1}{PO}}_{2} + \overset{- 3}{PH_{3}}$

$\overset{0}{P} \rightarrow NaH_{2}{\overset{+ 1}{PO}}_{2}$ (Oxidation)

$\overset{0}{P} \rightarrow \overset{- 3}{PH_{3}}$ (Reduction)

Simultaneous oxidation and reduction is disproportionation.