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One resonance contributor to the phosphate ion is shown. When phosphate is protonated to form HPO42-, the likelihood of any of the four oxygen molecules receiving the hydrogen is equal. Which statement best explains this observation? A.The doubly bound oxygen atom is equally prone to protonation as the singly bound oxygen atoms.B.All four of the phosphate-oxygen bonds have equivalent double-bond character.C.The phosphate ion exhibits a perfectly symmetrical tetrahedral geometry.D.When solvated in aqueous media, all oxygen atoms are in close proximity to hydrogen atoms.

Question

One resonance contributor to the phosphate ion is shown. When phosphate is protonated to form HPO42-, the likelihood of any of the four oxygen molecules receiving the hydrogen is equal. Which statement best explains this observation? A.The doubly bound oxygen atom is equally prone to protonation as the singly bound oxygen atoms.B.All four of the phosphate-oxygen bonds have equivalent double-bond character.C.The phosphate ion exhibits a perfectly symmetrical tetrahedral geometry.D.When solvated in aqueous media, all oxygen atoms are in close proximity to hydrogen atoms.

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Solution

The best explanation for this observation is B. All four of the phosphate-oxygen bonds have equivalent double-bond character. This is because resonance in the phosphate ion allows for the delocalization of electrons, which gives each oxygen atom an equal chance of being protonated. The double-bond character is not exclusive to one oxygen atom but is rather shared among all four, making the likelihood of any one oxygen atom receiving the hydrogen equal.

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