Why the oxidation state of P in PH3 is -3 even though hydrogen is more electronegative than Phosphorus??? Why it is not +3????

dear student,

Oxidation state of H in hydrides depends on the type of hydride

  • Non metal hydrides (PH3 is non metal hydride): means Non metal will be in negative oxidation state being more electronegative. Here H has +1 state.
  • Metal hydrides : means metal-H bond. Since metal is less electronegative than H , H is in -1 state and metal in positive oxidation states example NaH ,LiH , etc
regards

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