Question
Question: What is the percentage of \({\text{p - }}\) character in forming \[{\text{P - P}}\] bonds in \({\tex...
What is the percentage of p - character in forming P - P bonds in {\text{P_4}} molecule?
Solution
Since Phosphorus can form three bonds, it can form a {\text{P_4}} white phosphorus tetrahedron, while sulphur can only form two. As a result, sulphur just forms rings and chains. Red phosphorus is a cross-linked, polymeric chain of atoms that is the most stable allotrope of phosphorus.
Complete answer:
Phosphorus is a derivative of the {\text{P_4}} molecule and is one of the most common allotropes of phosphorus. It is made up of a network of phosphorus atoms that is amorphous (non-crystalline). Phosphorus is found in a polymeric chain of tetrahedrally shaped {\text{P_4}} molecules, one of which has one of its P - P bonds broken to allow the tetrahedrons to be connected.
In a tetrahedral structure, each phosphorus atom in {\text{P_4}} is connected to three other phosphorus atoms. When one of these bonds is broken, these tetrahedral structures can form polymer-like structures by bonding with neighbouring phosphorus atoms.
With P belonging to Group V on the periodic table, one would expect the molecule to only be capable of making three bonds to fill its valence shell. While phosphorus forms three bonds in {\text{P_4}}, the molecular geometry of {\text{P_4}} cannot be represented by three bonds formed by partially filled p orbitals.
P cannot form pi bonds due to its larger atomic size, so it is tetra-atomic, with each P atom connected to three others P atoms by three sigma bonds. As a result, the p-character plays a 75 percent role in forming P - P bonds in the {\text{P_4}} molecule.
Note:
Ring strain and instability are caused by P4's tetrahedral arrangement. Six single P - P bonds are known as the molecule's structure. There are two types of crystalline forms that have been discovered. It consists of four lone pairs of electrons and PPP angle of 60∘