18.8 Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Phosphorus
3 min read•june 25, 2024
, a crucial element in life and industry, is primarily extracted from . The industrial process involves heating a mixture of phosphate rock, sand, and coke in an , producing phosphorus vapor that's condensed under water to prevent oxidation.
Phosphorus forms two main oxides: and . These oxides react with water to form acids, playing key roles in various applications. Phosphorus halides are generally more stable than their nitrogen counterparts, making them useful in chemical synthesis.
Phosphorus: Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties
Phosphorus industrial preparation process
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- Phosphorus primarily obtained from phosphate rock containing
- Industrial preparation process involves several steps:
- Mixing phosphate rock with sand and coke in an electric furnace
- Heating mixture to high temperatures around 1500°C
- Calcium phosphate reacts with silicon dioxide and carbon producing phosphorus vapor, calcium silicate slag, and carbon monoxide gas:
- Condensing and collecting phosphorus vapor under water preventing oxidation ()
Formation of phosphorus oxides
- Phosphorus forms two main oxides: phosphorus(III) oxide and phosphorus(V) oxide
- Phosphorus(III) oxide :
- Formed by incomplete combustion of white phosphorus in limited oxygen supply
- Readily reacts with cold water forming :
- Phosphorous acid acts as a reducing agent (antioxidant) in various applications
- Phosphorus(V) oxide :
- Formed by complete combustion of white phosphorus in excess oxygen
- Vigorously reacts with water forming :
- Highly hygroscopic and deliquescent making it an effective desiccant (moisture absorber)
- Used in production of phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilizers ()
Phosphorus halides vs nitrogen halides
- Phosphorus halides generally more stable and less reactive than nitrogen counterparts
- and are stable compounds
- colorless liquid at room temperature while pale green solid
- Both react with water forming phosphorous acid and phosphoric acid respectively:
- Phosphorus halides used as precursors for organophosphorus compounds (insecticides, nerve agents)
- In contrast, highly unstable and explosive
- Readily decomposes at room temperature releasing chlorine gas:
- Nitrogen halides have limited practical applications due to instability
- Readily decomposes at room temperature releasing chlorine gas:
- Increased stability of phosphorus halides compared to nitrogen halides attributed to larger size and lower of phosphorus allowing better accommodation of halogen atoms
Atomic and Chemical Properties of Phosphorus
- : [Ne]3s²3p³, influencing its chemical behavior and bonding
- : Phosphorus exhibits multiple oxidation states (-3, +1, +3, +5), affecting its reactivity in various compounds
- : Lower than nitrogen, contributing to differences in bond polarity and reactivity
- : Larger than nitrogen, impacting bond lengths and molecular geometries
- : While primarily used for nitrogen fixation, this process indirectly affects phosphorus use in agriculture by enabling large-scale fertilizer production
Key Terms to Review (37)
Acid-ionization constant, Ka: The acid-ionization constant, $K_a$, quantifies the strength of a weak acid in solution. It is the equilibrium constant for the dissociation of an acid into its conjugate base and a proton.
Allotropes: Allotropes are different structural forms of the same chemical element that exist in the same physical state. These unique arrangements of atoms can result in materials with vastly different physical and chemical properties, despite being composed of the same element.
C: C, the third letter of the alphabet, is a versatile element that plays a crucial role in various chemical contexts, including formula mass calculations, empirical and molecular formula determinations, and the properties of phosphorus. As a fundamental building block of organic compounds, C is essential for understanding the fundamental principles of chemistry.
Ca3(PO4)2: Ca3(PO4)2, commonly known as calcium phosphate, is a chemical compound that consists of calcium and phosphate ions. This compound plays a crucial role in biological systems, particularly in the formation of bones and teeth, and is also significant in various industrial applications, particularly in fertilizers and food additives.
Calcium Phosphate: Calcium phosphate is a group of minerals that are the main inorganic component of bone and teeth. It is a key compound in the context of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus.
CaSiO3: CaSiO3, also known as calcium silicate, is a chemical compound composed of calcium, silicon, and oxygen. It is a mineral that is relevant in the context of the topics: 18.8 Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Phosphorus, as it is a key component in the formation and processing of phosphorus-containing compounds.
CaSiO3 is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in certain geological formations and is also produced synthetically for various industrial applications. Its unique properties and interactions with other elements make it an important consideration in understanding the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus.
Cl2: Cl2 is the chemical formula for chlorine gas, a highly reactive and poisonous element that is part of the halogen group on the periodic table. Cl2 plays a significant role in various chemical processes and reactions, particularly in the context of redox chemistry, the occurrence and properties of phosphorus, and the occurrence, preparation, and properties of halogens.
CO: CO, or carbon monoxide, is a colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas that is produced during the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels. This term is particularly relevant in the context of understanding the occurrence and preparation of representative metals, the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus, as well as the spectroscopic and magnetic properties of coordination compounds.
Covalent Radius: The covalent radius is the distance from the center of a covalently bonded atom to the center of the nuclei of the atoms it is bonded to. It is a measure of the size of an atom and is an important factor in determining the properties of covalent compounds, particularly their occurrence, preparation, and properties.
Electric Furnace: An electric furnace is a type of heating system that uses electricity as the primary energy source to generate heat, in contrast to traditional furnaces that use fossil fuels like natural gas or oil. Electric furnaces are designed to provide warmth and comfort in residential and commercial settings.
Electron configuration: Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. It follows principles such as the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule.
Electron Configuration: Electron configuration is the arrangement of electrons in an atom's electron shells and subshells, which determines the atom's chemical properties and behavior. This concept is fundamental to understanding the periodic table, periodic trends, and the reactivity of elements.
Electronegativity: Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons within a chemical bond. It is a dimensionless quantity usually assigned values on the Pauling scale.
Electronegativity: Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond. It is a fundamental property that influences the nature and strength of chemical bonds, as well as the physical and chemical properties of substances.
H3PO3: H3PO3, also known as phosphorous acid, is a chemical compound that is important in the context of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus. It is a triprotic acid with the molecular formula H3PO3, consisting of one phosphorus atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms and three oxygen atoms.
H3PO4: H3PO4, also known as phosphoric acid, is a polyprotic acid that plays a significant role in various chemical processes, particularly in the context of polyprotic acids, the occurrence and properties of phosphorus, and the occurrence and compounds of oxygen.
Haber-Bosch Process: The Haber-Bosch process is a critically important industrial chemical process that converts atmospheric nitrogen and hydrogen into ammonia. This synthetic process has revolutionized the production of fertilizers and is a cornerstone of modern agriculture and chemical manufacturing.
N2: N2, or dinitrogen, is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, making up approximately 78% of the air we breathe. It is a colorless, odorless, and inert gas that is essential for various chemical processes and the survival of many living organisms.
NCl3: NCl3, or nitrogen trichloride, is a covalent compound consisting of one nitrogen atom bonded to three chlorine atoms. It is an important compound in the context of understanding the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus.
Nitrogen Trichloride: Nitrogen trichloride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula NCl3. It is a volatile, yellowish-orange liquid that is highly reactive and potentially explosive. This term is particularly relevant in the context of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus, as nitrogen trichloride is an important intermediate in the production of certain phosphorus-containing compounds.
Oxidation States: Oxidation states are the measure of the degree of oxidation of an atom in a chemical compound. They represent the number of electrons an atom has lost or gained compared to a neutral atom, and are used to describe the chemical bonding in compounds.
P4: P4, or tetrahedraphosphorus, is the most stable allotrope of the element phosphorus. It is a white, waxy solid that is the primary form of phosphorus found in nature and used in various applications.
P4O10: P4O10, also known as tetraphosphorus decoxide, is a chemical compound composed of four phosphorus atoms and ten oxygen atoms. It is a key term in the context of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus, as described in section 18.8 of the chemistry curriculum.
P4O6: P4O6, also known as tetraphosphorus hexoxide, is a chemical compound composed of four phosphorus atoms and six oxygen atoms. It is an important compound in the context of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus, as discussed in section 18.8 of the chemistry curriculum.
PCl3: PCl3, or phosphorus trichloride, is a colorless, fuming liquid compound composed of one phosphorus atom bonded to three chlorine atoms. It is an important chemical in the context of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus.
PCl5: PCl5, or phosphorus pentachloride, is a covalent compound consisting of one phosphorus atom bonded to five chlorine atoms. It is an important chemical species that is relevant in the context of both molecular structure and polarity, as well as the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus.
Phosphate rock: Phosphate rock is a naturally occurring mineral that is primarily composed of calcium phosphate, along with other minerals. It is the main source of phosphorus, which is an essential nutrient for plants and animals. This mineral plays a crucial role in the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus, as it is mined and processed to produce various phosphorus compounds used in fertilizers and other applications.
Phosphoric Acid: Phosphoric acid, also known as orthophosphoric acid, is a chemical compound with the formula H3PO4. It is a colorless, odorless, and non-volatile acid that plays a crucial role in various chemical and biological processes, particularly in the context of polyprotic acids, the structure and properties of nonmetals, and the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus.
Phosphorous Acid: Phosphorous acid, also known as phosphonic acid, is a chemical compound with the formula H3PO3. It is an important compound in the context of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus, as it is a key intermediate in the production and utilization of phosphorus-containing compounds.
Phosphorous acid is a colorless, crystalline solid that is soluble in water and has a sour taste. It is a weak acid, with a pKa of 1.3, and is used in various industrial and agricultural applications.
Phosphorus: Phosphorus is a multivalent nonmetal that is essential for life, playing a crucial role in various biological and chemical processes. It is a key component of the human body and is widely distributed in nature, making it an important element across the fields of chemistry, biology, and geology.
Phosphorus Pentachloride: Phosphorus pentachloride is a covalent inorganic compound with the chemical formula PCl5. It is an important intermediate in the production of various phosphorus-containing compounds and plays a significant role in the context of hybrid atomic orbitals and the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus.
Phosphorus Trichloride: Phosphorus trichloride (PCl3) is an inorganic compound composed of one phosphorus atom and three chlorine atoms. It is an important industrial chemical with various applications, particularly in the context of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus.
Phosphorus(III) Oxide: Phosphorus(III) oxide, also known as phosphorous oxide or phosphorus trioxide, is a chemical compound with the formula P4O6. It is an important intermediate in the production and use of phosphorus and its various compounds, particularly in the context of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus.
Phosphorus(V) Oxide: Phosphorus(V) oxide, also known as phosphoric anhydride or diphosphorus pentoxide, is a chemical compound composed of phosphorus and oxygen. It is a key compound in the context of understanding the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus as outlined in Section 18.8 of the chemistry curriculum.
SiO2: SiO2, or silicon dioxide, is a chemical compound composed of one silicon atom and two oxygen atoms. It is a common and abundant mineral that plays a crucial role in the context of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus.
Triple Superphosphate: Triple superphosphate is a concentrated phosphate fertilizer that contains a high percentage of available phosphorus. It is a key product in the context of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of phosphorus.
White Phosphorus: White phosphorus is a highly reactive and flammable allotrope of the chemical element phosphorus. It is a waxy, pale yellow, semi-transparent solid that emits a faint white glow when exposed to air, a phenomenon known as 'cold light'. This unique form of phosphorus is central to understanding its occurrence, preparation, and properties within the context of the chapter on phosphorus.