Oxides of phosphorus (P-O cage compounds)

I Phosphorus trioxide P2O3 or P4O6

 It is obtained by the combustion of phosphorus in a limited supply of air.
4P + 3O2  2P2O3

Physical properties
1. It is a white waxy substance
2. It has a garlic odour.
Chemical properties
 Each P atom in P4O6 carries a lone pair of electrons and therefore it act as Lewis base.
1. It reacts with cold water, gives phosphorus acid.
P2O3 +3H2O  2H3PO3
2. It reacts with hot water vigorously to form inflammable phosphine.
2P2O3 + 6H2O  PH3 + 3H3 PO4
 Oxides of phosphorus
I Phosphorus trioxide P2O3 or P4O6
Structure:

 the PO bond distances (165 pm) are consistent with single
bonds, and the angles POP and OPO are 128º and 99º
respectively.
 Oxides of phosphorus
II Phosphorus pentoxide P2O5 or P4O10
Phosphorus pentoxide can be prepared by burning phosphorus with sufficient supply of air.
P4 + 5O2 P4 O10
Physical properties
It is a white solid and an acidic oxide.
Chemical properties
1. It reacts with moisture to form metaphosphoric acid.
P4O10 + 2H2O  4HPO3
When the solution is boiled, the metaphosphoric acid is changed to orthophosphoric acid.
HPO3 + H2O  H3PO4
or
P4O10 + 6H2O  4H3 PO4
2. Phosphorus pentoxide extracts water from many inorganic compound including sulfuric
acid, nitric acid and several organic compounds. It is therefore, used as a powerful
dehydrating agent.
Use: It is used as a dehydrating agent.
 Oxides of phosphorus
II Phosphorus pentoxide P2O5 or P4O10
Structure:

 The PObridge and POterminal bond distances are 160 and 140 pm.
Structures of other oxides are:
 Oxidation state P(III)/P(V)

P4O7 P4O8 P4O9