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Question
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.
Solution
Yellow or white phosphorus: It is a discrete tetrahedral molecule. The molecular formula is P4. The four phosphorus atoms lie at the comers of a regular tetrahedron. Each P atom is linked to each of the three other atoms by single covalent bonds i.e., six P – P bonds are present and each P atom has a lone pair.
White Phosphorous
Red Phosphorous
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