Question

The mixture of statement in respect of structure of hypo phosphorous acid is:
A. 2-OH groups, 2-H atoms are attached directly to P
B. One OH group and 2-H atoms are directly attached to P
C. One OH group and 3- H atoms are directly attached to P
D. Three OH groups are attached directly to P.

Answer 1

Hint: The other name of hypo phosphorous acid is phosphinic acid. Hypo phosphorous acid is a strong reducing agent. Hypo phosphorous acid has a property to get soluble in solvents like dioxane, water and alcohol.

Complete answer:
- In the question it is asked about the number of –OH groups and number of hydrogen atoms attached to hypo phosphorous acid.
- To know about the –OH groups and number of hydrogen atoms we should know the structure of the hypo phosphorous acid.
- The chemical formula of hypo phosphorous acid is ${{H}_{3}}P{{O}_{2}}$ .
- The structure of hypo phosphorous acid is as follows.

- In the above structure we can see clearly that there is one –OH group and two hydrogen atoms attached directly to the phosphorus atom.
- Therefore in the structure of hypo phosphorous acid One OH group and 2-H atoms are directly attached to P.

So, the correct option is B.

Note:
Hypo phosphorous acid is going to donate only one hydrogen atom, which is attached to oxygen. Hypophosphorous acid is going to be used in fischer esterification as an additive. In chemical reactions hypophosphorous acid is going to act as a reducing agent.