Question Details

The products A and B obtained in the following reactions, respectively, are

3ROH + PCl3 → 3RCl + A

ROH + PCl5 → RCl + HCl + B


Options

A

POCl3 and H3PO3

B

POCl3 and H3PO4

C

H3PO4 and POCl3

D

H3PO3 and POCl3

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option D

H3PO3 and POCl3

H₃PO₃ and POCl₃

Solution :

The correct answer is: H3PO3 and POCl3

We are given two reactions involving an alcohol (ROH) reacting with phosphorus chlorides, and we need to identify the products A and B.

Reaction 1:
3ROH + PCl3 → 3RCl + A

Let us balance and analyze this reaction. Phosphorus trichloride (PCl3) reacts with three molecules of alcohol. In this reaction, each alcohol molecule donates its −OH group and receives a −Cl from PCl3, producing the alkyl chloride (RCl).

Now, let's track the atoms to identify product A:
Reactant side: 3 R atoms, 3 O atoms, 3 H atoms (from 3 ROH) + 1 P atom, 3 Cl atoms (from PCl3)
Product side (known): 3 R atoms, 3 Cl atoms (from 3 RCl)

The remaining atoms that must appear in product A are: 1 P, 3 O, and 3 H. This gives us the formula H3PO3, which is phosphorous acid (also written as P(OH)3).

So, A = H3PO3

The complete balanced reaction is:
3ROH + PCl3 → 3RCl + H3PO3

Reaction 2:
ROH + PCl5 → RCl + HCl + B

Here, phosphorus pentachloride (PCl5) reacts with one molecule of alcohol. The −OH group of the alcohol is replaced by −Cl, producing the alkyl chloride and HCl as by-products.

Let's track the atoms to identify product B:
Reactant side: 1 R, 1 O, 1 H (from ROH) + 1 P, 5 Cl (from PCl5)
Product side (known): 1 R, 1 Cl (from RCl) + 1 H, 1 Cl (from HCl)

The remaining atoms for product B are: 1 P, 1 O, and 3 Cl. This gives us the formula POCl3, which is phosphorus oxychloride (also called phosphoryl chloride).

So, B = POCl3

The complete balanced reaction is:
ROH + PCl5 → RCl + HCl + POCl3

Summary:
• Product A (from the reaction of alcohol with PCl3) = H3PO3 (Phosphorous acid)
• Product B (from the reaction of alcohol with PCl5) = POCl3 (Phosphorus oxychloride)

Therefore, the correct answer is H3PO3 and POCl3.

Unlock Our Free Library

Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.

Discover more resources

You may also like

Mock Tests

View All
  • JEE
  • intermediate
  • 3 hours
  • chemistry, mathematics, physics
  • Proctored

  • JEE
  • intermediate
  • 3 hours
  • chemistry, mathematics, physics

Ask AI Tutor
5 left
Q1 View Question & Options
AI Tutor is solving this question...
Reading question context & options...