Question

Write main differences between the properties of white phosphorus and red phosphorus.

Answer 1

White phosphorus - It consists of tetrahedral P4 molecules, in which each atom is bound to the other three atoms by a single bond.It is the least stable, the most reactive, the most volatile, the least dense, and the most toxic of the allotropes.

Red phosphorus - It is polymeric in structure. It can be viewed as a derivative of P4  wherein one P-P bond is broken, and one additional bond is formed with the neighbouring tetrahedron resulting in a chain-like structure. Red phosphorus may be formed by heating white phosphorus to 250 °C (482 °F) or by exposing white phosphorus to sunlight.