Pick out the stronger reducing agent among the following oxyacids of phosphorus

Options

(a) hypophosphorous acid
(b) phosphorous acid
(c) hypophosphoric acid
(d) pyrophosphorous acid

Correct Answer:

hypophosphorous acid

Explanation:

Reducing agent reduces other compounds and get itself oxidised. Compounds Oxidation state of P, Hypophosphorous acid (+1), Phosphorous acid (+3), Hypophosphoric acid (+4), Orthophosphoric acid (+5), Pyrophosphoric acid (+5). Hypophosphorous acid has least oxidation states so it has higher tendency to increase its oxidation state or to get oxidised so it acts as a strongest reducing agent.