How many atoms does the phosphorus atom connect to?

Answer 1

Phosphorus has two valencies 3 and 5.

3 - in compounds such as PH3, PCl3, P4O6

5 - PCl5, P4O10

In terms of cordination, the "count" of all the atoms around a P atom it can have 2- 9 atoms around it. Examples are below:-

2 - in OPCH2

3 - in PH3

4 - in PO43-

5 - in PF5

6 - in PF6-

And in some phosphides where there bond is more ionic even higher coordination numbers are known:-

7 - in crystals of Ta2P

8 - in crystals of Hf2P

9 - Ti3P

Answer 2

Phosphorus can exhibit three or five oxidation states. This means it can combine with either three or five atoms.

e.g.

PH3 or PH5

PCl3 or PCl5

Answer 3

A phosphorus atom can connect up to five other atoms through covalent bonds. It has five valence electrons in its outer shell, allowing it to form up to five bonds with other atoms.