Is white phosphorus reactive?

1 Answer
anor277
Oct 11, 2016

My word! Why is white phosphorus is especially reactive? Because as far as we know phosphorus exists as a #P_4# molecule.

Explanation:

#"White phosphorus"# exists as the tetrahedral #P_4# molecule. This structure imposes a lot of strain on the interlocking #P-P# bonds such that when white phosphorus is exposed to air it ignites.

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