Question

In a cyclotrimetaphosphoric acid molecule, how many single and double bonds are present?

• A. $3$ double bonds; $9$ single bonds
• B. $6$ double bonds; $6$ single bonds
• C. $3$ double bonds; $12$ single bonds
• D. Zero double bonds; $12$ single bonds

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

It has $3$ double bonds and $12$ single bonds.

Answer 2

The oxoacids that phosphorus can produce are H₃PO₂, H₃PO₄, and H₃PO₄. P is tetrahedrally surrounded by other atoms in phosphorus oxoacids. It is known that each of these can create at least one P-H bond and an O-H bond.
P=O bonds, as well as P-P or P-H bonds, can be found in polyphosphoric oxoacids. In phosphorus oxoacids, the oxidation number of P is less than +5.

Name	Formula	The oxidation state of Phosphorous	Characteristics of bonds and their number
hypo phosphorous	H3PO2	+1	One P-OH,Two P-H,One P=O
Ortho phosphorous	H3PO3	+3	two P-OH,one P-H,One P=O
Pyro phosphoric acid	H3PO4	+5	Three P-H,One P=O
Metaphosphoric acid	(HPO3)n	+5	Three p-OH,Three P=O,Three P-O-P

 
 
 
 
 
 

The molecule of cyclotrimetaphosphoric acid has three P=O bonds, three P-OH links, and three O-P-O bonds, as can be seen from the structure above. Thus, there are 12 single bonds and 3 double bonds overall. Therefore, the molecule of cyclotrimetaphosphoric acid contains 12 single bonds and 3 double bonds.