(e) Phosphorus
Simple phosphorus is manufactured by the reduction of calcium phosphate,
Ca3(PO4)2, with quartz rock and coke. Allotropes include white phosphorus, red
phosphorus, and black phosphorus.
White phosphorus is a molecule of composition of P4 (Fig. 4.7). It has a low
melting-point (mp 44.1 oC) and is soluble in benzene or carbon disulfide. Because it is
pyrophoric and deadly poisonous, it must be handling carefully.