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: (D)

P - P - P angle of $60^{\circ}$

Answer 2

White phosphorus $\left(P_{4}\right)$ has $6 P-P$ 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.