Question

What are the properties of white phosphorus?

Answer 1

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 $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$ but soluble in organic solvents such as Carbon disulfide$\left({\mathrm{CS}}_2\right)$.
• 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 ${\mathrm{P}}_4$ molecules having all the angles only ${60}^{\mathrm{o}}$.