Chapter 5, Problem 17E

Strike-anywhere matches contain a layer of ${\text{KC1O}}_{\text{3}}$ and a layer of ${\text{P}}_{\text{4}}{\text{S}}_{\text{3}}$ . The heat produced by the friction of striking the match causes these two compounds to react vigorously, which sets fire to the wooden stem of the match. ${\text{KC1O}}_{\text{3}}$ contains the ion. ${\text{P}}_{\text{4}}{\text{S}}_{\text{3}}$ is an unusual molecule with the skeletal structure.

(a) Write Lewis structures for ${\text{P}}_{\text{4}}{\text{S}}_{\text{3}}$ and the ${\text{C1O}}_{\text{3}}{}^{\text{-}}\text{ion}$ .

(b) Describe the geometry about the P atoms, the S atom, and the C1 atom in these species.

(c) Assign a hybridization to the P atoms, the S atom, and the Cl atom in these species.

(d) Determine the oxidation states and formal charge of the atoms in ${\text{P}}_{\text{4}}{\text{S}}_{\text{3}}$ and the ${\text{CIO}}_{\text{3}}{}^{\text{-}}\text{ion}$ .