Orthophosphorous acid is a chemical compound with the formula H3PO3. The spelling of orthophosphorous is pronounced as /ˌɔːrθoʊˈfɑsfərəs/ and it is derived from the Greek word "ortho," meaning straight or correct, and "phosphorous," referring to the element phosphorus. The IPA phonetic transcription /ˌɔːrθoʊˈfɑsfərəs ˈasəd/ helps to explain the correct pronunciation of the word. This acid is widely used in industrial and pharmaceutical applications due to its ability to act as a reducing agent and stabilizer in various chemical reactions.
Orthophosphorous acid, also known as hypophosphorous acid, is a chemical compound with the molecular formula H3PO2. It is a colorless, odorless liquid that consists of phosphorus in its +1 oxidation state. The compound is hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the environment.
Orthophosphorous acid is primarily used as a reducing agent in various chemical processes, including the preparation of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and plasticizers. It is highly effective in reducing aldehydes and ketones to their respective alcohols. Moreover, this compound finds application in electroless plating, wherein it acts as a reducing agent to deposit metallic films on substrates.
In terms of physical properties, orthophosphorous acid has a low boiling point of around 80°C and a density of approximately 1.22 g/cm3. It is highly soluble in water, and its solutions are usually acidic due to the partial dissociation of the acid into hydrogen ions (H+) and hypophosphite ions (H2PO2-) in aqueous media.
Although orthophosphorous acid is generally considered non-toxic, it is a mild irritant to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. It is crucial to handle this compound with proper protective equipment and in a well-ventilated area.
In summary, orthophosphorous acid is a versatile chemical compound used as a reducing agent in various industrial processes. Its ability to reduce aldehydes and ketones and facilitate electroless plating makes it valuable in many applications.
The word "Orthophosphorous Acid" comes from the combination of the terms "ortho-", "phosphor-", and "-ous acid".
1. "Ortho-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "orthos", which means "straight" or "correct". In chemistry, "ortho-" signifies the "straight" or standard form of a compound.
2. "Phosphor-" refers to the element phosphorus, which comes from the Greek word "phosphoros", meaning "light-bringing" or "light-bearer". It was named as such due to its glow-in-the-dark properties when exposed to oxygen.
3. "-ous acid" is a suffix used in chemical nomenclature to designate acids that have less oxygen than the "-ic acid" counterparts. In this case, "orthophosphorous acid" indicates an acid that contains a lower oxygen content than "orthophosphoric acid".