COMEDK2022ChemistryChemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
The P - O bond order in PO ₄³⁻ is
Options
- A1
- B1.5
- C1.45
- D1.25
Correct answer
D. 1.25
Step-by-step solution
The phosphate ion PO ₄³⁻ has a central phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms. The total number of valence electrons is 5 + 4 6 + 3 = 32 . The Lewis structure consists of a central phosphorus atom with four single bonds to oxygen atoms, where each oxygen atom carries a formal charge of -1 except for one double bond to one oxygen atom to satisfy the octet rule for phosphorus. However, resonance structures exist where the double bond is delocalized over all four P - O bonds. The total number of bonds in the reso