Why white phosphorus is more reactive than red phosphorus?

These two most common forms of the element Phosphorus react differently because they are bonded differently.

White phosphorus is structured as individual molecules of 4 atoms bonded together to form a tetrahedron. The P4 rings are held to each other by physical bonding (like other molecular substances) but no chemical bonding. These P4 rings are an unstable arrangement which makes the white phosphorus extremely reactive.

Red phosphorus also has groups of 4 atoms, but they are not rings. One side is open, which allows each P4 group to chemically bond to a neighboring group, so that a huge amorphous network is formed instead of individual molecules. This is a relatively stable arrangement which makes the red phosphorus less reactive.




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These two most common forms of the element Phosphorus react differently because they are bonded differently.

White phosphorus is structured as individual molecules of 4 atoms bonded together to form a tetrahedron. The P4 rings are held to each other by physical bonding (like other molecular substances) but no chemical bonding. These P4 rings are an unstable arrangement which makes the white phosphorus extremely reactive.

Red phosphorus also has groups of 4 atoms, but they are not rings. One side is open, which allows each P4group to chemically bond to a neighboring group, so that a huge amorphous network is formed instead of individual molecules. This is a relatively stable arrangement which makes the red phosphorus less reactive.

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