Question

Name some white phosphorus reactions:

Answer 1

Hint: We know that the Phosphorus is an important plant nutrient and it is used in fertilizer production by phosphate compounds. Like the cycles of biological carbon and nitrogen there is also an important cycle for phosphorus as well.

Complete answer:
White phosphorus is translucent white waxy solid which is poisonous in nature have the property of chemiluminescence i.e. it glows in dark. It has a discrete tetrahedral like structure. The bond length of phosphorus – phosphorus molecule is \[225\] pm and the angle between them is \[60\]. Due to angular strain in the molecule in presence of air it readily catches.
When the oxidation number increases, the element is said to be oxidised while when the oxidation number decreases, the element is said to be reduced. And here, in the same reaction, the phosphorus is getting both oxidised and reduced and this type of reaction, where the same species is both oxidised and reduced is called a disproportionation reaction. White phosphorus reactions:
White phosphorus is a strong reducing agent, which reduces \[HN{{O}_{3}}\text{ }to\text{ }N{{O}_{2}},\] \[{{P}_{4}}+HN{{O}_{3}}\to {{H}_{3}}P{{O}_{4}}+N{{O}_{2}}+{{H}_{2}}O\]
White phosphorus spontaneously catches fire in chlorine forming phosphorus trichloride and phosphorus pentachloride; \[{{P}_{4}}+6C{{l}_{2}}\to 4PC{{l}_{3}}\] and \[{{P}_{4}}+10C{{l}_{2}}\to 4PC{{l}_{5}}.\]
White phosphorus reacts with metals to form phosphides; \[{{P}_{4}}+\text{ }6Mg\to M{{g}_{3}}{{P}_{2}}\]

Note:
Remember that you need to be clear with the concepts to find the oxidation numbers and should have knowledge about the different reactions. Remember, when there is an increase in the oxidation number of a particular species in a reaction, the reaction is said to be oxidised while when the oxidation number decreases, the reaction is said to be reduced.