Question

The reaction of white phosphorus with aqueous NaOH gives phosphine along with another phosphorus containing compound. The reaction type; the oxidation state of phosphorus in phosphine and the other product are respectively

• A. Redox reaction; +3 and +5
• B. Redox reaction; -3 and - 5
• C. Disproportionation reaction; - 3 and +3
• D. Disproportionation reaction; - 3 and +1

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The reaction of white phosphorus with aqueous NaOH gives phosphine along with sodium hydrogen phosphite. It is Disproportionation reaction in which oxidation number of phosphorus is changing from 0 to -3 and +3 as follows
$\stackrel{\text{0}}{{\left(\text{P}\right)}_{\text{4}}}+\text{NaOH}\left(\text{aq}\right)\to \stackrel{-3}{{\left(\text{PH}\right)}_{\text{3}}}+\stackrel{+3}{{\left(\text{Na}\right)}_{\text{2}}{\left(\text{HPO}\right)}_{\text{3}}}$