Question

What is the preparation method of white phosphorus?

Answer 1

Phosphorous

• Phosphorus is a chemical element with the atomic symbol $\mathrm{P}$.
• Phosphorus exists in a wide range of allotropes, the most well-known of which are red and white phosphorus.
• Allotropes are distinct varieties of the same chemical substance that can exist in the same physical forms.

Preparation of White phosphorus

• White phosphorus $\left({\mathrm{P}}_4\right)$ can be produced using several different methods.
• One of the industrial processes is heating phosphate rock in a fuel-fired/electric furnace along with traces of silica and carbon.
• By collecting the fumes in phosphoric acid, white phosphorous can be obtained.
• The reaction is as follows:

$2{\mathrm{Ca}}_3{\left({\mathrm{PO}}_4\right)}_2\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+6{\mathrm{SiO}}_2\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+10\mathrm{C}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)\to 6{\mathrm{CaSiO}}_3\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+10\mathrm{CO}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{P}}_4\left(\mathrm{s}\right)$