Question

How many P–O–Plinkages are there in P₄O₁₀?

• A. Six
• B. Four
• C. Five
• D. One

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

\(P_4O_{10}\), also known as tetraphosphorus decaoxide, has the empirical formula for phosphorus pentoxide. Its structure features four phosphorus atoms in a tetrahedral arrangement. Each phosphorus atom bonds to one terminal oxygen atom (\(P=O\)) and three bridging oxygen atoms, creating \(P-O-P\) linkages.

To find the number of \(P-O-P\) linkages:

* Each phosphorus atom connects to three bridging oxygen atoms. * Each bridging oxygen atom links two phosphorus atoms.

Consequently, the \(P_4O_{10}\) molecule contains a total of 6 \(P-O-P\) linkages. Picture the four phosphorus atoms as a tetrahedron. Each edge of the tetrahedron represents a bridging oxygen atom, thus creating six P-O-P linkages, mirroring the tetrahedron's six edges.

Structure Visualization:

Each P atom is tetrahedrally coordinated. There are four terminal oxygen atoms double bonded to the four P atoms. The remaining six oxygen atoms bridge between the P atoms.

In summary, \(P_4O_{10}\) has six \(P-O-P\) linkages.