Question

Number of sigma bonds in P₄O₁₀ is

• A. 6
• B. 7
• C. 17
• D. 16

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

In $P_4{O}_{10}$ each phosphorus atom is surrounded by four oxygen atoms. With one oxygen atom phosphorus forms a double bond and with the other three oxygen atoms, it forms a single bond.
Thus, the total number of sigma bonds for each phosphorus atom is three for the three P−OP−O single bonds and one for the one P=OP=O double bond, so a total of four sigma bonds. There are four phosphorus atoms present in $P_4{O}_{10}$ .
So, the total number of sigma bonds present in the compound is
$4\times 4=16$ and the total number of $\pi$ bonds are $4\times 1=4$ .
Hence, $P_4{O}_{10}$ contains $16$ sigma bonds.