Diphosphorus tetroxide

Diphosphorus tetroxide

Names
Other names Phosphorus tetroxide Phosphorus(V) oxide Phosphoric anhydride
Identifiers
CAS Number	12137-38-1
Properties
Chemical formula	P2O4
Molar mass	125.96 g·mol^−1
Appearance	Solid
Melting point	>100 °C
Vapor pressure	2.54 g·cm^−3
Hazards
EU classification (DSD)	not listed
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Diphosphorus tetroxide, or phosphorus tetroxide is an inorganic compound of phosphorus and oxygen. It has the empirical chemical formula P
2O
4. Solid diphosphorus tetroxide (also referred to as phosphorus(III,V)-oxide) consists of variable mixtures of the mixed-valence oxides P₄O₇, P₄O₈ and P₄O₉^[1][2][3]

Preparation

Phosphorus tetroxide is obtainable by thermal decomposition of phosphorus trioxide:

${\displaystyle \mathrm {4\ P_{2}O_{3}\rightleftharpoons 2\ P+3\ P_{2}O_{4}} }$

Phosphorus trioxide disproportionation over the half on the 210°C to phosphorus and phosphorus tetroxide.

In addition, phosphorus trioxide by controlled oxidation with oxygen in carbon tetrachloride solution, into phosphorus tetroxide can be converted.^[4][5][6]

Reduction of phosphorus produces the phosphorus tetroxide, in careful reaction with red phosphorus, at 450-525 °C.

References

1. http://www.wiley.com/college/math/chem/cg/sales/voet.html.
2. Alberts B.; et al. (2002). Molecular Biology of the Cell, 4th Ed. Garland Science. ISBN 0-8153-4072-9.
3. Voet D., Voet J. G. Biochemistry, 3rd Ed. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-19350-0.
4. Atkins P., de Paula J. (2006). Physical chemistry, 8th Ed. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman. ISBN 0-7167-8759-8.
5. Petrucci R. H., Harwood W. S., Herring F. G. (2002). General Chemistry, 8th Ed. New York: Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-13-014329-4.
6. Laidler K. J. (1978). Physical chemistry with biological applications. Benjamin/Cummings. Menlo Park. ISBN 0-8053-5680-0.