Question

White phosphorus reacts with caustic soda. The products are $P{H}_3$ and $Na{H}_{2}P{O}_2$. This reaction is an example of________.

• A. oxidation
• B. reduction
• C. neutralization
• D. disproportionation

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Reactions, in which a compound undergoes both oxidation and reduction simultaneously, are called disproportionation.

White phosphorus reacts with caustic soda. The products are phosphine $P{H}_3$ and sodium hypophosphite $Na{H}_{2}P{O}_2$. This reaction is an example of disproportionation.

$P_4+3NaOH+3H_{2}O⟶3Na{H}_{2}P{O}_2+P{H}_3$

Option (D) is correct.