Determine the oxidation state of P in substances, find the smallest value: P, Ca (H3PO4) 2, PCL5, Mg3P2, Ph3
The oxidation state is the number of electrons that an atom can accept or donate to another atom to make the compound electrically neutral. Simple substances always have an oxidation state of zero. In our case: P is a simple substance, oxidation state = 0; Ca (H3PO4) 2 – the degree of oxygen in the sum = -16, calcium and hydrogen = +8, which means phosphorus +4; PCL5 – the oxidation state of chlorine in the sum = -5, which means phosphorus = + 5, Mg3P2 – the oxidation state of magnesium in the sum = +6, which means phosphorus = -3; PH3 – the oxidation state of hydrogen in the sum = +3, which means phosphorus = -3. The lowest value of the oxidation state of phosphorus will be in the compounds – PH3 and Mg3P2; the oxidation state of phosphorus here = -3.