Phosphorous acid colorless deliquescent solid that can be prepared by the action of water on phosphorus( III) oxide or phosphorus(III) chloride. It is a dibasic acid producing the anions H2PO3- and HPO3 2- in water. The acid and its salts are slow reducing agents.
Phosphorous acid, H3PO3, is diprotic (readily ionizes two protons), not triprotic as might be suggested by this formula. Phosphorous acid is as an intermediate in the preparation of other phosphorous compounds. Because preparation and uses of “phosphorous acid” actually pertain more to the major tautomer, phosphonic acid, it is more often referred to as “phosphorous acid”.