A safer method for demonstrating the burning of white phosphorous under water is described. This demonstration uses 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and manganese dioxide as the oxygen source, eliminating the use of potentially explosive potassium chlorate. The oxygen generation is manually controlled by means of a stopcock on the dropping funnel. The apparatus has been designed to provide a most spectacular display, especially in the dark, lasting an hour or longer if desired, and eliminates the noxious phosphorous odor.
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Citation
Taylor, Larry C. J. Chem. Educ.1997 74 1074.
Keywords
Demonstrations, Inorganic Chemistry, Safety/Hazardous Materials, and Phosphorus
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