Chemistry · Group 13 to Group 18 Elements

The oxyacid of phosphorous which exists as a dimer in vapour phase is :

The oxyacid of phosphorous which exists as a dimer in vapour phase is :

  • A. Hydrophosphorous acid
  • B. Pyrophosphoric acid
  • C. Peroxy phosphoric acid
  • D. Metaphosphoric acid

Step-by-step solution

Metaphosphoric acid (HPO3) tends to form cyclic dimers (P2O5·H2O or H2P2O6) in the vapor phase due to the instability of the monomer. Hydrophosphorous acid (H3PO2) is monomeric, pyrophosphoric acid (H4P2O7) is already a dimeric molecule but does not further dimerize, and peroxy phosphoric acid (H3PO5) is also monomeric.
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