Question:
What are the oxidation states of phosphorus in the following:
(i) H3PO3
(ii) PCl3
(iii) Ca3P2
(iv) Na3PO4
(v) POF3?
Solution:
Let the oxidation state of $p$ be $x$.
(i) H3PO3
$3+x+3(-2)=0$
$3+x-6=0$
$x-3=0$
$x=+3$
(ii) PCl3
$x+3(-1)=0$
$x-3=0$
$x=+3$
(iii) Ca3P2
$3(+2)+2(x)=0$
$6+2 x=0$
$2 x=-6$
$x=-3$
(iv) Na3PO4
$3(+1)+x+4(-2)=0$
$3+x-8=0$
$x-5=0$
$x=+5$
(v) POF3
$x+(-2)+3(-1)=0$
$x-5=0$
$x=+5$