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phosphorous acid
Article Free Passphosphorous acid, ( H3PO3: ) also called Orthophosphorous Acid, one of several oxygen acids of phosphorus, used as reducing agent in chemical analysis. It is a colourless or yellowish crystalline substance (melting point about 73° C, or 163° F) with a garliclike taste. An unstable compound that readily absorbs moisture, it is converted to phosphoric acid (H3PO4) in the presence of oxygen or when heated above 180° C (360° F). Phosphorous acid (H3PO3) forms salts called phosphites, also used as reducing agents. It is prepared by dissolving tetraphosphorus hexoxide (P4O6) or phosphorus trichloride (PCl3) in water.
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