Source of phosphorus

Source of phosphorus (P)

Phosphorus is a very reactive element, so it does not occur free in nature. It is found combined with oxygen as phosphate ion (PO₄^3-).

The chief minerals in which it occurs are :

1. Phosphorite [Ca₃(PO₄)₂]
2. Fluorapatite [3Ca₃(PO₄)₃. CaF₂]
3. Chlorapatite [3Ca₃(PO₄)₂CaCl₂]

Phosphorus has three allotropic forms : (i) Red P (ii) White P and (iii) Black P.

White P has regular tetrahedral structure.

Molecular Structure of Phosphorus