What is in the chemical PO3-3?

Answer 1

PO3-3 does not exist in solution or normal ionic compounds (I cannot rule out exotic compounds). It is the analog to phosphate. "-ites" generally have one less O atom and the same charge as the "-ates". However, phosphate (PO4-3)and carbonate (CO3-2) do not have corresponding "-ites". Applying base to H3PO3 only removes 2 Hydrogens to give the HPO3-2 ion which is called (confusingly) phosphite; the remaining H is bound to the P (p. 512, "Advanced Inorganic Chemistry" by F. A. Cotton, Interscience, NY1966).

Dr. Bob Butler
Chemistry Lecturer
Baruch College, NY, NY

Answer 2

The name of the chemical with formula PO3-3 is a "phosphite anion". Each formula unit contains one phosphorus atom, three oxygen atoms, and three electrons in excess of the total number of protons in the anion.

Answer 3

The chemical formula PO3-3 represents the ion phosphate (III). This ion consists of one phosphorus atom bonded to three oxygen atoms with a charge of -3.

Answer 4

PO4-3 is the polyatomic ion phosphate.

Answer 5

This is the phosphite ion.