Account for the following observations:
(a) Phosphorus forms a pentachloride, but nitrogen does not.
(b) \(\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{2}\) is a monoprotic acid.
(c) Phosphonium salts, such as \(\mathrm{PH}_{4} \mathrm{Cl}\), can be formed under anhydrous conditions, but they cannot be made in aqueous solution.
(d) White phosphorus is more reactive than red phosphorus.
Text Transcription:
H3PO2
PH4Cl
Step 1 of 5) Its mirror image rotates the plane of polarization to the left; it is levorotatory and is the levo, or l, isomer (Latin laevus, “left”). The 3Co(en)343 + isomer on the right in Figure 23.22 is found experimentally to be the l isomer of this ion. Its mirror image is the d isomer. Because of their effect on plane-polarized light, chiral molecules are said to be optically active.We are given the name of a complex containing only monodentate ligands, and we must determine the number of isomers the complex can form. Plan We can count the number of ligands to determine the coordination number of the Fe and then use the coordination number to predict the geometry. We can then either make a series of drawings with ligands in different positions to determine the number of isomers or deduce the number of isomers by analogy to cases we have discussed.
