hypophosphorous acid
Quick Summary
Hypophosphorous acid, with the chemical formula H3PO2, is an oxygen acid of phosphorus. It is a weak acid that forms only one series of salts, known as hypophosphites.1
Pure hypophosphorous acid is a white crystalline solid that melts at 26.5 Β°C (79.7 Β°F). It is a monoprotic oxyacid, meaning it has only one hydrogen atom bound to oxygen. The acid is prepared by acidifying solutions of hypophosphite ions. While it can be extracted by diethyl ether, it cannot be isolated by simply evaporating water due to its tendency to oxidize to phosphoric acids or disproportionate into phosphine and phosphorous acid.1
Hypophosphite salts, such as hydrated sodium hypophosphite, are used industrially as reducing agents, notably in the electroless plating of nickel. Phosphorous acid (H3PO3) is another oxygen acid of phosphorus, distinct from hypophosphorous acid, and is used as a reducing agent in chemical analysis. Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) is the most important oxygen acid of phosphorus and is primarily used in fertilizer production.123
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