Red Phosphorus

Phosphorus compounds and phosphorus-based compounds are important sources of energy for many living organisms. Phosphorus can be divided into organic and inorganic forms. Organic phosphorus contains the element phosphorus combined with an organic compound, like phytic acid and folic acid.

Inorganic phosphorus is present in a variety of minerals like rock phosphate and bone phosphate. Phosphorus plays an essential role in biological processes and is the only element known to occur naturally in all living cells and organisms. As such, it is an important factor in maintaining life.

P is a vital nutrient for all forms of life on earth. Phosphorus-deficient diets can result in death. Phosphorus is the third most abundant element in the Earth’s crust after oxygen and silicon, and its chemical properties make it potentially attractive for many different energy-related applications. 

The term "white mineral" was coined to describe phosphate rock because it contains phosphorus in the form of phosphoric acid. Phosphate rock is an important raw material in the chemical industry for the production of phosphoric acid, detergents, cosmetics, fertilizers, detergents, detergents, medicines, and pesticides. 

The chemical compound phosphorus trichloride (PCl3) has been used as an explosive since the beginning of the twentieth century. Inorganic phosphorus is a vital nutrient for all forms of life on earth. Phosphorus-deficient diets can result in death.

Phosphorus is the fifth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust and the third most abundant non-metal. Its abundance is over 100,000 times that of phosphorus in all soil. Phosphorus is a major component of many minerals, including apatite (calcium phosphate), phosphate, the major component of bone and tooth enamel, hydroxyapatite, monosodium hydrogen phosphate, diphosphate, and dihydrogen phosphate. It is a vital component of nucleotides and coenzymes. In nature, Phosphorus occurs naturally as monatomic phosphorus, as a divalent cation (P2+), as trivalent phosphorus (P3+), and as phosphorus(V).

Diseases of the skeletal system, particularly rickets and osteomalacia, which occur in both humans and animals, may be traced to dietary deficiency of phosphorus. The most widely used form is monobasic sodium phosphate. Phosphorus in phosphate form, in contrast, is generally considered to be a necessary part of the diet.

Nutritional Role

1. Phosphorus (P) is essential for good health, it is also the central compound of phospholipids, nucleotides and vitamin B complex. The primary sources of P are plant tissues; meat, fish, and eggs are also significant. P is found in high-protein food such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, soybeans, peas, and almonds.

2. It is found in almost all foods but is relatively low in fat, cholesterol, and sugar. Many of these sources are animal-based foods. P is essential for the proper formation of bones and teeth, maintenance of adequate immune system function, and the health of the cardiovascular, reproductive, nervous, and circulatory systems.

3. One of the most important functions of P in the body is in bone formation and mineralization (conversion to bone matrix). P is used in maintaining bone density in the elderly.  P's role in the formation of the nervous system is also important.  P supports the function of the muscles and of nerves as P plays a role in the synthesis and breakdown of chemicals, specifically, neurotransmitters, and phospholipids, a major component of cell membranes. 

4. P is needed for the maintenance of blood pressure and the proper function of the kidneys, liver, muscles, brain, immune system, and lymphatic system. P is an essential component of the haemoglobin molecule that carries oxygen through the blood. Deficiency of P may result in the loss of calcium and other minerals from bones, leading to osteoporosis. 

5. P is also a component of several hormones that affect reproduction and other biological functions. P is a basic component of enzymes, which have important roles in a variety of chemical reactions. In the intestinal tract, P is an essential component of the phosphate transport system, and it is necessary for digestion and absorption of food.

Phosphorus is a chemical element which is placed in the 3rd period and 15th group in the Modern Periodic Table with the symbol P. It occurs mainly in two forms – White phosphorus and Red phosphorus. These are allotropes of phosphorus. As red phosphorus is more stable than white phosphorus so it is used in various fields. In this article we will discuss red phosphorus in detail.

What is Red Phosphorus? 

Red phosphorus is an allotrope of phosphorus and a derivative of the P4 molecule. It is red in color, nontoxic, odorless and less active than white phosphorus. As red phosphorus is less active than white phosphorus so it is more stable than white phosphorus. It does not possess the property of phosphorescence. It was discovered by an Austrian chemist Anton von Schrotter in 1845. He heated the white phosphorus up to 4820F in the presence of nitrogen for a few hours and produced red phosphorus. 

Structure of Red Phosphorus  

Red phosphorus has a polymeric structure in which 4 tetrahedrally grouped phosphorus atoms are bonded together wherein one P-P bond is broken and one additional bond is formed with the neighboring tetrahedron resulting in a chain-like structure.

Properties of Red Phosphorus 

• Red phosphorus is red in color.

• It is odorless.

• It is more stable than white phosphorus. 

• Its molar mass is 30.974g/mol.

• It is an amorphous solid.

• Its melting point is 860K.

• Its density is 2.34g/cm3. 

Preparation of Red Phosphorus 

Red phosphorus is prepared from white phosphorus. It is an intermediate phase between the white and violet phosphorus. This is the reason most of its properties have a range of values. For example, freshly prepared red phosphorus is highly reactive and ignites at 3000C while after storage or prolonged heating its red color darkens, and it becomes less reactive.

Red phosphorus is prepared by heating white phosphorus to 4820F in an inert atmosphere (like in presence of nitrogen) and in presence of iodine (I2) as catalyst.

White Phosphorous \[\xrightarrow{482^{0},N_{2},I_{2}}\] Red Phosphorous

Applications of Red Phosphorus 

Red phosphorus is used in many fields. Few of its uses are listed below –

• It is used in the production of semiconductors. 

• It is used in matchsticks.

• It is used in production of pyrotechnics, fertilizers, and pesticides.

• It is used in electroluminescent coatings.

• It is used in many organic synthesis reactions.

• Due to its stable but reactive nature, it is used in smoke bombs.

• It is an important component of steel production.

• Its few compounds are used in water softening as well.

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