A white waxy solid P reacts with 3 mol NaOH and 3 mol H2O to form two products Q and R. When Q is burned in oxygen (with heating), it gives product S. Given that Q is a colourless gas with a characteristic rotten-fish smell, which of the following statements about P, Q, R, and S is CORRECT

Question

A white waxy solid P reacts with 3 mol NaOH and 3 mol H2O to form two products Q and R. When Q is burned in oxygen (with heating), it gives product S. Given that Q is a colourless gas with a characteristic rotten-fish smell, which of the following statements about P, Q, R, and S is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

The anionic part of R contains zero acidic hydrogen atoms. Q is PH3 (phosphine — colourless gas, rotten fish odour). P is P4 (white phosphorus, waxy solid). R is NaH2PO2 (sodium hypophosphite). The anion H2PO2⁻ has both H atoms on P (P-H bonds), giving zero acidic (O-H) hydrogens in the anion.

A white waxy solid P reacts with 3 mol NaOH and 3 mol H2O to form two products Q and R. When Q is burned in oxygen (with heating), it gives product S. Given that Q is a colourless gas with a characteristic rotten-fish smell, which of the following statements about P, Q, R, and S is CORRECT?

Solution

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