Answer to Question #24828 in Organic Chemistry for fgj

Question

how and why are p4 p4o6, and p4o10 related structurally?

Answer 1

Pattern Formation P₂O₃ and P₂O₅ is clear, based on the molecule P₄, existing in pare. Introduction of oxygen atoms in position, localized near the middle of each of the six edges of the tetrahedron P₄, leads to the formation of molecules P₄O₆.
Here is trivalent phosphorus. Attached to each phosphorus atom to the oxygen atom by a double bond P=O leads to the formation of similar molecules P₄O₁₀, in which phosphorus valency is V. These oxygen atoms "look" in the center of the old part of the tetrahedron. In the latter case the molecule is formed by connecting four different units OPO₃ / 2 with three bridge bonds in each.