Which of the following is correct for P4 the molecule of white phosphorus?
(i) It has 6 lone pairs of electrons.
(ii) It has six P–P single bonds.
(iii) It has three P–P single bonds.
(iv) It has four lone pairs of electrons.
The answer is the option (ii, iv)
Structure of molecule can be represented as
There are 4 lone pairs of electrons over each P-atom. It has six P – P single bond.