Question

Explain the structure of red phosphorus

Answer 1

Red Phosphorus$\left({\mathrm{P}}_4\right)$-

1. Red Phosphorus is one of the allotropes of Phosphorus and is considered to be a derivative of the$\left({\mathrm{P}}_4\right)$ molecule.
2. It exists in an amorphous network of Phosphorus atoms.
3. It is found to be more stable than white phosphorus.
4. Red Phosphorus is deep red colour

Red phosphorus $\left({\mathrm{P}}_4\right)$Structure

1. Red Phosphorus is a tetrahedrally structured $\left({\mathrm{P}}_4\right)$ molecule in which one of the $\mathrm{P}-\mathrm{P}$ bonds is broken to enable the linking of these tetrahedrons.
2. The structure of red phosphorus is illustrated below
3. .
4. Each phosphorus atom in $\left({\mathrm{P}}_4\right)$is linked to three other Phosphorus atoms in a tetrahedral structure.
5. When one of these bonds is broken, these tetrahedral structures can bond with neighboring phosphorus atoms, to form a polymeric structure.