Al inorganic chem ( P2O5)

1. P2O5 is just its empirical formula.
its molecular formula is P4O10.
its structure is not simple, with a 3D-structure.
please refer to Wikipedia for its shape:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphorus_pentoxide

2. P4O10 readily reacts with water to give phosphoric(V) acid exothermically, a strong tribasic acid. the acid is soluble in water.
P4O10 + 6H2O ------> 4H3PO4


2010-10-23 04:27:04 補充：
mechanism? do you mean hydrolysis of P4O10, or do you mean the formation of extensive intermolecular H-bond?

2010-10-23 04:57:09 補充：
agree with Ahliu.
it's not very proper to say "P4O10 is soluble in water" as it doesn't dissolve in strict sense; it reacts.
but well... in the sense of "putting the solid into the liquid and then the solid disappear", it's common to say "we dissolve something".

2010-10-23 04:57:14 補充：
case is similar to sodium oxide and potassium oxide ---- NO metal oxides are REALLY soluble in water. anyway...

thanks for kind reminding.

P4O10 will undergo exothermic hydrolysis in water as told by 001. This process cannot be reversed solely by physical action. Actually it is incorrect to say "it is soluble in water"