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2 years ago in Chemistry , Inorganic Chemistry By Adi
How are valency, coordination number, and oxidation state defined in phosphorus oxyacids?
While reviewing inorganic chemistry for my thesis on phosphorus cycles, these terms are used frequently but sometimes interchangeably in older texts. I need a clear, modern operational distinction to accurately describe bonding in compounds like phosphoric acid. My confusion lies in their specific calculation and meaning for the central P atom.
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By Kriya Answered 1 year ago
From my experience teaching advanced inorganic chemistry, this is a common and critical point of confusion. For phosphorus in oxyacids like H?PO?, the oxidation state is a formal charge concept here it's +5. The coordination number counts atoms directly bonded to P, which is 4 (to four O atoms). Valency is trickier; it refers to P's combining power. While its oxidation state is +5, its practical valency is often considered 5, but it's manifested through both sigma bonds and dative pi-back bonding from oxygen. I recommend focusing on coordination geometry to visualize the differences.
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