Which ion corresponds to phosphite?

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Multiple Choice

Which ion corresponds to phosphite?

Explanation:
Phosphite is the phosphorus oxyanion with three oxygens and a -3 charge. The oxidation state check shows phosphorus in this ion is +3: let x be the oxidation state of P, then x + 3(-2) = -3, so x = +3. The four-oxygen ion with -3 charge is phosphate, not phosphite, and the pyrophosphate ion contains two phosphorus atoms with an average oxidation state of +5. A three-oxygen ion with -2 charge would not be the standard phosphite. So the ion that matches phosphite is PO3^3−.

Phosphite is the phosphorus oxyanion with three oxygens and a -3 charge. The oxidation state check shows phosphorus in this ion is +3: let x be the oxidation state of P, then x + 3(-2) = -3, so x = +3. The four-oxygen ion with -3 charge is phosphate, not phosphite, and the pyrophosphate ion contains two phosphorus atoms with an average oxidation state of +5. A three-oxygen ion with -2 charge would not be the standard phosphite. So the ion that matches phosphite is PO3^3−.

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