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, we need to analyze the molecular structure and the effects of different substituents on the phosphorus atom.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Molecules**: We need to consider the different molecules that contain P-O bonds. For this question, we will focus on the molecule \( \text{(CH}_3\text{)}_3\text{PO} \) (trimethyl phosphate) as a candidate for having the strongest P-O bond.

2. **Valence Electrons of Phosphorus**: Phosphorus (P) is in group 15 of the periodic table and has 5 valence electrons.

3. **Electronegativity Considerations**: Oxygen (O) is more electronegative than phosphorus. This means that oxygen will attract the electron density from phosphorus, leading to a partial positive charge on phosphorus. This partial positive charge indicates that phosphorus is electron-deficient.

4. **Effect of Substituents**: In \( \text{(CH}_3\text{)}_3\text{PO} \), the three methyl groups (CH3) are electron-donating groups due to their +I (inductive) effect. This means they can donate electron density towards the phosphorus atom, helping to reduce its electron deficiency.

5. **Comparison with Other Molecules**:
- In other molecules like \( \text{F}_3\text{PO} \) (trifluorophosphate), the fluorine atoms are highly electronegative and will withdraw electron density from phosphorus even more than oxygen does. This increases the deficiency of phosphorus, weakening the P-O bond.
- Similarly, in \( \text{Cl}_3\text{PO} \) and \( \text{Br}_3\text{PO} \), chlorine and bromine are also electronegative but not as much as fluorine, and they still withdraw electron density from phosphorus.

6. **Conclusion**: The presence of three methyl groups in \( \text{(CH}_3\text{)}_3\text{PO} \) significantly reduces the electron deficiency of phosphorus, leading to a stronger P-O bond compared to other molecules like \( \text{F}_3\text{PO} \), \( \text{Cl}_3\text{PO} \), and \( \text{Br}_3\text{PO} \).

Thus, the strongest P-O bond is found in the molecule \( \text{(CH}_3\text{)}_3\text{PO} \).

### Final Answer:
The strongest P-O bond is found in the molecule \( \text{(CH}_3\text{)}_3\text{PO} \).