Question

White phosphorus $P_4$ has the following characteristics:

• A. 6 P - P single bonds
• B. 4 P - P single bonds
• C. 4 lone pair of electrons
• D. P - P - P angle of $60^{\circ }$

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (C), (D)

White phosphorus $\left(P_4\right)$ has $6P-P$ single bonds, 4 lone pairs of electrons and $P-P-P$ angle of $60^{\circ }$. It is a translucent white waxy solid. It has large atomic size and less electronegativity. So, it forms single bond instead of $p\pi -p\pi$ multiple bond. It consists of discrete tetrahedral $P_4$ molecule as shown in the figure.