To determine the chemical formula for aluminum phosphite, we first need to understand the components involved. Aluminum (Al) typically has a +3 oxidation state, while phosphite (which is derived from phosphorous acid, H3PO3) has the formula PO33-.
Since aluminum has a +3 charge, and phosphite has a -3 overall charge, we need one aluminum ion to balance out one phosphite ion. Therefore, the formula for aluminum phosphite becomes:
- 1 Aluminum (Al3+)
- 1 Phosphite (PO33-)
This results in the formula:
AlPO3
Hence, the chemical formula for the compound aluminum phosphite is AlPO3.