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  • 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.

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.

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White phosphorous exists as a single molecule where the phosphorous atoms are sp^{3}-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.

 

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