how many types of phophurus are there? differentiate between red and white phosphurus? in what sense organic phosphorus different from white and red phosphorus? what are the sources of this?
1) Elemental phosphorus can exist in several allotropes; the most common of which are white and red solids. Solid violet and black allotropes are also known. Gaseous phosphorus exists as diphosphorus and atomic phosphorus.
2) Difference between white and red phosphorous
White phosphorous | Red phosphorous |
The white phosphorus P4 has 4 phosphorus atoms that are arranged at the corners of a tetrahedron. Each one of the atoms is covalently bonded to the three other atoms of the molecule. | The red phosphorus, the molecules are bonded together as a polymer, meaning the length of the chain can be very long. |
It is produced by heating phosphate rock in an electric or fuel-fired furnace in the presence of carbon and silica. | Red phosphorus may be formed by heating white phosphorus to 250 °C (482 °F) or by exposing white phosphorus to sunlight. |
It is highly toxic | It is non-toxic. |
White phosphorus reacts with air vigorously that is it burns instantly in presence of oxygen and show phosphorescence property ( it emits bright luminous green light in dark in presence of small amount of oxygen ). Hence it is highly unstable and stored under water. |
Red phosphorous is highly stable and does not react with air as white phosphorous. It is used to make safety matches, tracer bullets, incendiary devices, pesticides, pyrotechnic devices, and many other products. |
3. Organic phosphorous are degradable organic compounds containing carbon–phosphorus bonds (thus excluding phosphate and phosphite esters, which lack this kind of bonding) used primarily in pest control as an alternative to chlorinated hydrocarbons that persist in the environment.
As said above organic phosphorous compounds contain carbon–phosphorus bonds while white and red phosphorous are allotropes of phosphorous contain only P-P bonds.
4. Some of the sources of organic phosphorus include soil, animal manure, bone meal etc.