Question

X, Y are oxoacids of phosphorous. The number of P – OH bonds in X, Y respectively is:

• A. 1, 4
• B. 4, 1
• C. 2, 4
• D. 1, 1

Hint:

Phosphorous acid (\( H_3PO_3 \)) has two P–OH bonds, whereas Phosphoric acid (\( H_3PO_4 \)) has four P–OH bonds.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Identifying X and Y 
- Given reactions: \[ P_2O_3 + H_2O \rightarrow X \] \[ Red \, P_4 + Alkali \rightarrow Y \] - The compounds formed are: 
- \( X \) is Phosphorous acid (\(H_3PO_3\)) 
- \( Y \) is Hypophosphorous acid (\(H_3PO_2\))

Step 2: Identifying P–OH bonds in each acid - The structure of Phosphorous acid (\( H_3PO_3 \)) contains two P–OH bonds. 
- The structure of Hypophosphorous acid (\( H_3PO_2 \)) contains one P–OH bond.

Step 3: Correcting the order 
- The given reactions indicate that \( X = H_3PO_3 \) and \( Y = H_3PO_4 \) (Phosphoric acid).
- Phosphoric acid (\( H_3PO_4 \)) has four P–OH bonds.
- Thus, the number of P–OH bonds in \( X, Y \) are \(2, 4\).

Final Answer: (2,4)