To use string interpolation, you have to use double quotes:
$x = 3;
"This works: $x" // This works: 3
'This does not: $x'; // This does not: $x
You also can't interpolate function calls into strings like you're attempting with {pg_escape_literal($word)}. You'll need to escape the variable before interpolating it into the string:
$word_esc = pg_escape_literal($word);
$result = pg_query(
$con,
"UPDATE a SET z = ARRAY[$number] WHERE word = $word_esc"
);
You could also use sprintf:
$result = pg_query(
$con,
sprintf(
"update a set z=ARRAY[%d] where word = %s",
$number,
pg_escape_literal($word)
)
);
But the best and safest is to use pg_query_params function, as you don't escape any parameter. And it is very easy to forget and expose your site to SQL-injection attacks.
$result = pg_query_params(
'update a set z=ARRAY[$1] where word = $2',
array($number,$word)
)
pg_query_params instead of escaping would be better.
pg_escape_literal will quote variable, improved layout of examples and added pg_query_params example as it is the best way.