question_answer 3)

Can phosphorus with outer electronic configuration \[3{{s}^{2}}3{{p}^{3}}\] form \[P{{H}_{5}}\]?

Answer:

Phosphorus shows both (+3) and (+5) oxidation states in its compounds; however PH5 does not exist in nature. It is due to following two probable reasons: (i) Bond energy of \[{{H}_{2}}\] molecule is very high or enthalpy of atomisation of hydrogen is very high. (ii) Electron gain enthalpy of hydrogen does not favour the formation of\[P{{H}_{5}}\].