Question

Which of the following oxoacids of phosphorus is a reducing agent and a monobasic acid as well?

• A. $H_4P_2O_5$
• B. $HPO_3$
• C. $H_3PO_3$
• D. $H_3PO_2$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

$H_3PO_2$

Answer 2

Acids which contain P?? bonds have strong reducing properties. Hypophosphorus acid (HPO) is a good reducing agent as it contains two P?? bonds. It has one P??H bond, so it is monobasic.