[pcm81]

Can tripoly phosphate be used in place of hypophosphate as a reducing agent in electroless Nickel plating since they both are phosphates with fewer O atoms per P atom than regular phosphate ion?

Usually i use sodium phosphite or sordium hypophosphite (NaPO3 or NaPO2). The Na5O10P3 has 10/3 O per P... Can it reduce Ni+

[chenbeier]

No, for reducing of Nickel  the amount of oxygen is not important. It is the oxidations number of the phosphorous. In your polyphosphate it is +5 and not able to work,
In hypophosphite it is +1 and in Phosphite it is +3.

By the way Sodiumhypophosphite is NaH₂PO₂ and sodium phosphite is Na₂HPO₃

[pcm81]

No, for reducing of Nickel  the amount of oxygen is not important. It is the oxidations number of the phosphorous. In your polyphosphate it is +5 and not able to work,
In hypophosphite it is +1 and in Phosphite it is +3.

By the way Sodiumhypophosphite is NaH₂PO₂ and sodium phosphite is Na₂HPO₃

Thanks