Question

The strong reducing property of hypophosphorous acid due to

• A. two P-H bond
• B. Its concentration
• C. presence of phophorus in its highest oxydation state
• D. The positive valency of phophorus

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

two P-H bond

Answer 2

Hypo phosphorous acid $(H_3PO_2)$ contains two $P-H$ bonds, which are relatively weak compared to other chemical bonds. These $P-H$ bonds can easily break, releasing hydrogen (H2) gas and generating phosphorous-containing species with lower oxidation states.
The breaking of $P-H$ bonds allows hypo phosphorous acid to donate electrons and act as a reducing agent in chemical reactions. The released hydrogen atoms can react with oxidizing agents, effectively reducing them. This property of hypo phosphorous acid makes it a strong reducing agent.
Therefore, option (A) the presence of two $P-H$ bonds is responsible for the strong reducing property of hypo phosphorous acid.