Question

Which of the following statements is incorrect about P4O10 molecule ?

• A. Each ‘P’ atom can be considered to be sp3 hybridised
• B. There are six POP bonds in the molecule
• C. There are two types of P— O bond lengths
• D. P$\widehat{O}$P angle is 180⁰.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

P$\widehat{O}$P angle is 180⁰.

Answer 2

P4O10

The P – O bond lengths shows that the bridging bonds on the edges are 1.60 Å but the P = O bonds on the corners are 1.43 Å and this P = O is formed by p$\pi$ – d$\pi$ back bonding. A full p-orbital on the oxygen atom overlaps sideway with an empty d-orbital on the phosphorus atom. The bond angle POP is 127⁰ and there is no P – P bonds.