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Question

What are the properties of white phosphorus?


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Solution

Allotropes of Phosphorus:

Phosphorus is found in many allotropic forms:

  • White Phosphorus
  • Red Phosphorus
  • Black Phosphorus

Properties of White Phosphorus:

  • It is a semi-transparent white wax-like solid.
  • It is poisonous in nature.
  • It is insoluble in water H2O but soluble in organic solvents such as Carbon disulfideCS2.
  • It shows chemiluminescence i.e. the emission of light as the result of a chemical reaction.
  • It is less stable and thus more reactive than other forms of phosphorus.
  • It is reactive due to the angular strain in P4 molecules having all the angles only 60o.

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