Name the oxyacid created from the reaction between phosphorus trichloride and 3 moles of water.

• A. hydrophorous acid
• B. phoric acid
• C. phosphorous acid
• D. phosphoric acid

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants involved in the reaction: phosphorus trichloride (PCl₃) and water (H₂O).
2. Understand that phosphorus trichloride reacts with water to form an oxyacid. The general reaction is: PCl₃ + 3H₂O → H₃PO₃ + 3HCl.
3. Recognize that the product H₃PO₃ is phosphorous acid, an oxyacid formed from the reaction.
4. Note that phosphorous acid is different from phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), which is formed from phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) reacting with water.
5. Conclude that the correct name for the oxyacid formed in this reaction is phosphorous acid, based on the chemical formula H₃PO₃.