Phosphorus has three allotropic forms — (i) white phosphorus (ii) red phosphorus and (iii) black phosphorus. Write the difference between white and red phosphorus on the basis of their structure and reactivity.
White phosphorous exists as a single molecule where the phosphorous atoms are -hybridised and has a tetrahedral structure with 6 P-P bonds. It is highly reactive due to the strained bond angles (60o).
Red Phosphorous on the other hands also has a tetrahedral structure, but each tetrahedron is linked to two others as shown below. The bond angle is much more relaxed, leading to a lower reactivity than White phosphorous.