Allotropes & Reactivity of Phosphorus

Reactivity Order:

$$\text{Reactivity: White Phosphorus} > \text{Red Phosphorus} > \text{Black Phosphorus}$$

White Phosphorus ($$\text{P}_4$$):

Discrete tetrahedral $$P_4$$ molecule with bond angle $$60^\circ$$ (severe angular strain causing extreme reactivity).

Chemiluminescent (glows in the dark) and poisonous; insoluble in water but soluble in $$\text{CS}_2$$.

Red Phosphorus: Polymeric chain structure of $$P_4$$ tetrahedra linked by covalent bonds; non-poisonous, insoluble in both water and $$\text{CS}_2$$.