Question

In $P_4{O}_{10}$,the:

• A. second bond in $P=O$ is formed by $p\pi -d\pi$ back bonding
• B. $P=O$ bond is formed by $p\pi -p\pi$ bonding
• C. $P=O$ bond is formed by $d\pi -d\pi$ bonding
• D. $P=O$ bond is formed by $d\pi -d\pi -3\sigma$ back bonding

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

In $P_4{O}_{10}$, the terminal $P-O$ bonds are formed by $p\pi -d\pi$ back bonding. This bonding results in the formation of a coordination bond resulting from an overlap of the $p$ orbitals of oxygen with empty $d\pi$ orbitals of phosphorus. Here, phosphorus atoms donate a lone pair of electrons resulting in $\pi$ back bonding.