Predicting Acidity of PH3: Comparison to NH3 Dipole Moments

  • Thread starter Fuzzykatecake
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In summary, the conversation discusses the polarity and dipole moments of NH3 and PH3 and how they relate to the acidity/basicity of the molecules. It is stated that PH3 is a polar molecule, but it is still considered basic on its own. However, compared to NH3, it can be considered acidic due to its lower dipole moment. The conversation also mentions the possibility of relating the dipole moment to the bond strength.
  • #1
Fuzzykatecake
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Homework Statement


Aluminum phosphide is hydrolysed by water to generate the highly toxic gas phosphine. NH3 is a polar molecule with a dipole moment of 1.47D while PH3 has a dipole moment of 0.58D. Predict whether PH3 is acidic neutral or basic.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


If NH3 has a higher dipole moment than PH3 and is basic does it mean PH3 is acidic? How does polarity affect the acidity of a molecule?
 
  • #3
PH₃ on its own is basic, i hope you Know that..So i don't understand how you could say it's acidic. It definitely not. But relative to NH₃, you could say its acidic, though its not.
other than that, could you relate dipole moment( the EN of the central atom) with the bond strength?
 

1. How can the acidity of PH3 be predicted?

The acidity of PH3 can be predicted using various methods, such as calculating the pKa value or using computational models. These methods involve considering the chemical structure and properties of PH3 to determine its acidity.

2. What factors affect the acidity of PH3?

The acidity of PH3 is influenced by the electronegativity of the surrounding atoms, the steric hindrance of the molecule, and the strength of the bonds between the atoms. Other factors, such as temperature and pressure, can also impact the acidity of PH3.

3. Is PH3 a strong or weak acid?

PH3 is considered a weak acid. This means that it does not completely dissociate in water and has a lower acidity compared to strong acids like hydrochloric acid. However, it can still react with bases and undergo acid-base reactions.

4. Can the acidity of PH3 be modified?

Yes, the acidity of PH3 can be modified by changing the chemical environment, such as altering the surrounding pH or introducing different functional groups to the molecule. This can affect the strength of the PH3 bonds and consequently its acidity.

5. What are the potential applications of predicting the acidity of PH3?

Predicting the acidity of PH3 can have various applications in fields such as chemistry, environmental science, and materials science. It can help in understanding the reactivity and behavior of PH3 in different environments and aid in the design of new compounds with desired acidity levels.

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