What is the total number of valence electrons on a phosphite ion #PO_3#?

1 Answer
Feb 16, 2017

In #"phosphite ion"#, #(HO)PO_2^(2-)#.............??

Explanation:

Around the central phosphorus atom, there are 5 electrons: #3xxO-P# bonds, and one phosphorus centred lone pair. Around each anionic oxygen atom, there are 7 electrons, i.e. 3 lone pairs, and ONE electron from the #P-O# bond. You can count them up.