Phosphorus pentoxide
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Phosphorus pentoxide
| |
| Other names
Diphosphorus pentoxide
Phosphorus(V) oxide Phosphoric anhydride Tetraphosphorus decaoxide Tetraphosphorus decoxide | |
| Properties | |
| P2O5 P4O10 | |
| Molar mass | 283.886 g/mol |
| Appearance | White powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 2.39 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 360 °C (680 °F; 633 K) (sublimes) |
| Boiling point | Sublimes |
| Reacts exothermically | |
| Solubility | Reacts with ethanol, methanol, isopropanol Soluble in sulfuric acid Insoluble in acetic acid, acetone, ammonia, benzene, chloroform, dichloromethane, hexane, toluene, xylene |
| Vapor pressure | 1 mmHg at 385 °C |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | FisherScientific |
| Flash point | Non-flammable |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Dinitrogen pentoxide |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Phosphorus pentoxide is a chemical compound with molecular formula P4O10, more often written as P2O5.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Phosphorus pentoxide is the anhydride of phosphoric acid. It will react exothermically with water to yield the said acid.
Phosphorus pentoxide is also a very potent dehydrating agent. It is even capable of robbing water from sulfuric acid, allowing one to distill sulfur trioxide from it.
- P2O5 + H2SO4 → H3PO4 + SO3
Physical
Phosphorous pentoxide is a white solid, with a pungent odor and strong deliquescent. Its density is 2.30 g/cm3. It boils at 423 °C under atmospheric pressure; if heated more rapidly it can sublimate.
Availability
Phosphorus pentoxide is sold by chemical suppliers, but is somewhat difficult to acquire. Storing it is also tricky due to its strong hygroscopy.
Preparation
Phosphorus pentoxide can be made by burning elemental phosphorus, in a moisture-free environment. One way is to burn phosphorus in a large stainless steel pot with a lid, which has been kept in a dry box. The resulting phosphorus pentoxide fumes from the fire are allowed to settle and cool, then they're scraped off the pot in a dry environment. If you don't need high purity pentoxide, you can do this in open air, but you must move quickly.
Projects
- Dry solvents, especially the halogenated ones, which cannot be dried with alkali metals
- Make pure phosphoric acid
- Convert primary amides into nitriles
- Make dinitrogen pentoxide
- Make dichlorine heptoxide
- Make sulfur trioxide and oleum
Handling
Safety
Phosphorus pentoxide is an extremely powerful desiccant, and contact with bare hand must be avoided. Contact with eyes will result in severe eye damage, even blindness.
Storage
Phosphorus pentoxide must be kept in closed and sealed bottles, away from any moisture. Never store it in aluminium, and galvanized or tin-plated containers! Stainless steel or glass containers are ideal.[1]
Disposal
Phosphorus pentoxide can be neutralized by very slowly adding cold water or a cooled carbonate/bicarbonate solution.
