Page 1 of 1

impossible equations?

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:38 pm
by asmi162
my problem states to balance the equation: diphosphorus trioxide reacts with aqueous potassium hydroxide to form potassium phosphate plus water. but when i looked up potassium phosphate, i found 3 possible salts: KH2PO4, K2HPO4, and K3PO4. So my unbalanced equation would look like P2O3 + KOH -> (one of the salts) + H2O. I put each variation into the equation solver on this site and it tells me that each of these reactions is impossible. So, what is wrong? :?

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:11 am
by Sam
In fact it is impossible! Because P is oxidized (P2O3->phosphate) and nothing is reduced!
You either had P2O5 and it turned to a phosphate (e.g. K2HPO4) or
you had P2O3 which turns to a phosphite that is K2HPO3.
Hope that explains this issue.