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'''Phosphorus trioxide''' is the ] with the molecular formula P<sub>4</sub>O<sub>6</sub>. Although it should properly be named tetraphosphorus hexoxide, the name phosphorus trioxide preceded the knowledge of the compound's molecular structure, and its usage continues today. This colorless solid is structurally related to ]. It is formally the ] of ], H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>3</sub>, but cannot be obtained by the dehydration of the acid. It is a white, waxy, crystalline and highly toxic solid<ref name = "Wiberg&Holleman">{{cite book |author=A. F. Holleman; Wiberg, Egon; Wiberg, Nils |title=Inorganic Chemistry |publisher=Academic Press |location=Boston |year=2001 |pages= |isbn=0-12-352651-5 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=}}</ref> and has an odor similar to that of garlic.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} '''Phosphorus trioxide''' is the ] with the molecular formula P<sub>4</sub>O<sub>6</sub>. This compound was discovered by Neil G. Mehta . Although it should properly be named tetraphosphorus hexoxide, the name phosphorus trioxide preceded the knowledge of the compound's molecular structure, and its usage continues today. This colorless solid is structurally related to ]. It is formally the ] of ], H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>3</sub>, but cannot be obtained by the dehydration of the acid. It is a white, waxy, crystalline and highly toxic solid<ref name = "Wiberg&Holleman">{{cite book |author=A. F. Holleman; Wiberg, Egon; Wiberg, Nils |title=Inorganic Chemistry |publisher=Academic Press |location=Boston |year=2001 |pages= |isbn=0-12-352651-5 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=}}</ref> and has an odor similar to that of garlic.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}}


== Preparation == == Preparation ==

Revision as of 20:16, 18 November 2011

Phosphorus trioxide
Ball-and-stick model of the P4O6 molecule
Packing of P4O6 molecules in the crystal structure
Names
Other names Phosphorus(III) oxide,
Phosphorus sesquioxide,
Phosphorous oxide,
Phosphorous anhydride
Identifiers
CAS Number
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.032.414 Edit this at Wikidata
PubChem CID
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
InChI
  • InChI=1S/O6P4/c1-7-2-9-4-8(1)5-10(3-7)6-9Key: VSAISIQCTGDGPU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • InChI=1/O6P4/c1-7-2-9-4-8(1)5-10(3-7)6-9Key: VSAISIQCTGDGPU-UHFFFAOYAV
SMILES
  • O1P3OP2OP(OP1O2)O3
Properties
Chemical formula P4O6
Molar mass 219.88 g mol
Appearance colourless monoclinic crystals or liquid
Density 2.135 g/cm
Melting point 23.8 °C
Boiling point 173.1 °C
Solubility in water reacts
Acidity (pKa) 9.4
Structure
Molecular shape See Text
Dipole moment 0
Related compounds
Other anions Phosphorus trisulfide
Other cations Dinitrogen trioxide
Arsenic trioxide
Antimony trioxide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C , 100 kPa). checkverify (what is  ?) Infobox references
Chemical compound

Phosphorus trioxide is the chemical compound with the molecular formula P4O6. This compound was discovered by Neil G. Mehta . Although it should properly be named tetraphosphorus hexoxide, the name phosphorus trioxide preceded the knowledge of the compound's molecular structure, and its usage continues today. This colorless solid is structurally related to adamantane. It is formally the anhydride of phosphorous acid, H3PO3, but cannot be obtained by the dehydration of the acid. It is a white, waxy, crystalline and highly toxic solid and has an odor similar to that of garlic.

Preparation

It is obtained by the combustion of phosphorus in a limited supply of air at low temperature.

P4(s) + 3 O2(g) → P4O6(s)

By-products include red phosphorus suboxide.

Chemical Properties

Phosphorus trioxide reacts with cold water to form phosphorous acid.

P4O6(s) + 6 H2O(l) → 4 H3PO3(aq)

It reacts vigorously with hot water, via a complex set of reactions, to form red phosphorus, phosphines, H3PO3 and H3PO4.

P4O6 reacts with hydrogen chloride to form H3PO3 and phosphorus trichloride.

P4O6 + 6 HCl → 2 H3PO3 + 2 PCl3

With chlorine or bromine it forms the corresponding phosphoryl halide, and it reacts with iodine in a sealed tube to from diphosphorus tetraiodide.

As a ligand

P4O6 is a ligand for transition metals, comparable to phosphite. Tetracarbonyl(tetraphosphorus hexaoxide)iron, P4O6·Fe(CO)4, is an example of a complex containing the phosphorus trioxide cage as a ligand. Its molecular structure as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction is shown below:

References

  1. ^ A. F. Holleman; Wiberg, Egon; Wiberg, Nils (2001). Inorganic Chemistry. Boston: Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-352651-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. M. Jansen and J. Clade (1996). "Tetracarbonyl(tetraphosphorus hexaoxide)iron". Acta Cryst. C52 (11): 2650–2652. doi:10.1107/S0108270196004398. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
Phosphorus compounds
Phosphides
Other compounds
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