Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Isolating some PhosPho "R" Us

metalresearcher - 3-8-2021 at 10:56

I managed to isolate some white (yellow) P4 from 12g (NaPO3)6, 5.4g Al powder and 3.6g SiO2 silica sand. I heated the mixture to 1000 C for half an hour in a stainless steel retort. During the process sometimes P4 vapors (or P2H4 gas) made small explosions in the receiver, but can also be liquid P4 over 100 C hitting water. Anyway I used the safety precautions, using leather welding gloves, an apron and a face shield and keeping safe distance, because P4 is very nasty stuff.
Then I shutdown the furnace, let it cool and let the glass jar with water and P4 in it settle down and found small quantities in yellowish color. After a day I fished one small piece out of the jar and ignited it.

The burning P4: https://www.metallab.net/jwplayer/video.php?f=/clips/others/...


1.jpg - 1.7MB 2.jpg - 1.1MB

macckone - 3-8-2021 at 20:25

what was the main vessel made out of?

metalresearcher - 3-8-2021 at 21:36

Quote: Originally posted by macckone  
what was the main vessel made out of?


Stainless steel 316.