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