The strongest P-O bond is found in the molecules

Options

A. `F_(3)PO`
B. `Cl_(3)PO`
C. `Br_(3)PO`
D. `(CH_(3))_(3)PO`

Answer

To determine which molecule has the strongest P-O bond among the given options (F3PO, Cl3PO, Br3PO, and CH3PO), we can analyze the structures and the effects of the substituents on the phosphorus-oxygen bond.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Electronegativity of Atoms**:
- The electronegativity values are crucial in determining the strength of the P-O bond. The order of electronegativity is:
- Fluorine (F) > Chlorine (Cl) > Bromine (Br) > Carbon (C).
- Oxygen (O) is also highly electronegative.

2. **Analyze Each Compound**:
- **F3PO**:
- The structure consists of a phosphorus atom bonded to three fluorine atoms and one oxygen atom.
- Fluorine is the most electronegative element, which means it exerts a strong -I (inductive) effect, pulling electron density away from phosphorus.
- This creates a significant partial positive charge on phosphorus, enhancing the P-O bond strength due to the strong attraction between the partial positive charge on phosphorus and the partial negative charge on oxygen.

- **Cl3PO**:
- Similar to F3PO, but chlorine is less electronegative than fluorine.
- Therefore, the -I effect is weaker, resulting in a less pronounced partial positive charge on phosphorus compared to F3PO.
- This leads to a weaker P-O bond than in F3PO.

- **Br3PO**:
- Bromine is even less electronegative than chlorine, which means it has an even weaker -I effect.
- Consequently, the P-O bond in Br3PO is weaker than in both F3PO and Cl3PO.

- **CH3PO**:
- In this molecule, the three methyl (CH3) groups exert a +I (inductive) effect, donating electron density to phosphorus.
- This reduces the partial positive charge on phosphorus, leading to a weaker P-O bond compared to the other compounds.

3. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, the order of P-O bond strength from strongest to weakest is:
- F3PO > Cl3PO > Br3PO > CH3PO.
- Therefore, the strongest P-O bond is found in **F3PO**.

### Final Answer:
The strongest P-O bond is found in the molecule **F3PO**.