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Question
The oxoacid of phosphorus in which phosphorus has the lowest oxidation state is ______.
Options
hypophosphorus acid
orthophosphoric acid
pyrophosphoric acid
metaphosphoric acid
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Solution
The oxoacid of phosphorus in which phosphorus has the lowest oxidation state is hypophosphorus acid.
Explanation:
Hypophosphorus acid (H3PO2) is the oxoacid of phosphorus in which phosphorus has the lowest oxidation state of +1. This acid contains one \[\ce{P - OH}\] group and two \[\ce{P - H}\] bonds, which indicates the lower oxidation state of phosphorus compared to other phosphorus oxoacids where phosphorus is in higher oxidation states, such as +3 or +5. Therefore, hypophosphorous acid represents the oxoacid with the lowest oxidation state of phosphorus among the options given.
