To detect the presence of phosphorus in an organic compound, the compound is fused with sodium peroxide, extracted, boiled with nitric acid, and finally treated with ammonium molybdate. This yields a

Question

To detect the presence of phosphorus in an organic compound, the compound is fused with sodium peroxide, extracted, boiled with nitric acid, and finally treated with ammonium molybdate. This yields a canary yellow precipitate of ammonium phosphomolybdate. If the formula is $(NH_4)_3PO_4 \cdot x MoO_3$, what is the exact integer value of $x$?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: 12. The canary yellow precipitate is ammonium phosphomolybdate. Its stoichiometric formula is . Therefore, exactly 12 equivalents of molybdenum trioxide are complexed per phosphate unit.

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