H3PO3 can be represented by structures 1 and 2 shown below. Can these

1.	H3PO3 can be represented by structures 1 and 2 shown below. Can these two structures be taken as the canonical form of the resonance hybrid representing H3PO3? If not, give reasons for the same.
Answer» The formula 1 and 2 do not describe the canonical forms of the resonance hybrid representing H₃PO₃ because (i) Position of one of the H nuclei is different. (ii) The number of bonding and non-bonding pairs is different.

H3PO3 can be represented by structures 1 and 2 shown below. Can these two structures be taken as the canonical form of the resonance hybrid representing H3PO3? If not, give reasons for the same.

Answer»

The formula 1 and 2 do not describe the canonical forms of the resonance hybrid representing H₃PO₃ because

(i) Position of one of the H nuclei is different.

(ii) The number of bonding and non-bonding pairs is different.