Summarizing Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Phosphorus

Key Concepts and Summary

Phosphorus (group 15) commonly exhibits oxidation states of 3− with active metals and of 3+ and 5+ with more electronegative nonmetals. The halogens and oxygen will oxidize phosphorus. The oxides are phosphorus(V) oxide, P₄O₁₀, and phosphorus(III) oxide, P₄O₆. The two common methods for preparing orthophosphoric acid, H₃PO₄, are either the reaction of a phosphate with sulfuric acid or the reaction of water with phosphorus(V) oxide. Orthophosphoric acid is a triprotic acid that forms three types of salts.