Phosphorus trioxide

Phosphorus trioxide is a molecular oxide with formula P₄O₆, traditionally written P₂O₃. Its phosphorus atoms have oxidation state +3.

P₄O₆ molecular structure: The cage-shaped molecular structure of phosphorus trioxide, with four phosphorus atoms bridged by six oxygen atoms. This cage is the actual molecular structure behind the traditional P₂O₃ formula.
Empirical formula: The simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a chemical compound. P₂O₃ gives the atom ratio, not the molecular count in phosphorus trioxide.
White phosphorus: A highly reactive, waxy allotrope of phosphorus composed of P₄ molecules. Controlled oxidation of this allotrope can produce phosphorus trioxide.
Phosphite: A phosphorus-containing anion or ester derived from phosphorous acid, with phosphorus in the +3 oxidation state. Hydrolysis of P₄O₆ produces phosphorous acid, the source of phosphite compounds.
Phosphorus(III) oxide hydrolysis: The reaction of phosphorus(III) oxide with water to form phosphorous acid. Water converts P₄O₆ into phosphorous acid, revealing its oxide chemistry.
Molecular formula: A formula that specifies the actual number of each type of atom in a molecule. P₄O₆ states the molecular composition that the traditional empirical formula omits.
Phosphorus combustion: The reaction of phosphorus with oxygen, producing phosphorus oxides whose composition depends on oxygen availability. Limited oxygen favors formation of the phosphorus(III) oxide.
Phosphorus(III) compounds: Compounds in which phosphorus has formal oxidation state +3. P₄O₆ is a simple oxide representative of this broad chemical family.
Phosphorous acid: An oxyacid of phosphorus with formula H₃PO₃, in which phosphorus has oxidation state +3. It is the principal product when phosphorus trioxide reacts with water.
Oxidation state: A formal charge assigned to an atom by treating its bonds as ionic. It provides the bookkeeping that assigns phosphorus the +3 state in P₄O₆.

Linked from 1 page