Question
What happens when $H_3PO_3$ is heated?

Answer

$H_3PO_3,$ on heating, undergoes disproportionation reaction to form $PH_3$ and $H_3PO_4$. The oxidation numbers of P in $H_3PO_3, PH_3,$ and $H_3PO_4$ are $+3, −3,$ and +5 respectively. As the oxidation number of the same element is decreasing and increasing during a particular reaction, the reaction is a disproportionation reaction.
$H_3PO_3$ on heating disproportionates to give orthophosphoric acid and phosphine.
$4H_3 PO_3→ 3H_3PO_4 + PH_3$​​​​​​​

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