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Unexpected Reactivity of Red Phosphorus in Ionic Liquids
Author(s) -
Groh Matthias F.,
Paasch Silvia,
Weiz Alexander,
Ruck Michael,
Brunner Eike
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
european journal of inorganic chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1099-0682
pISSN - 1434-1948
DOI - 10.1002/ejic.201500502
Subject(s) - chemistry , white phosphorus , ionic liquid , phosphorus , reactivity (psychology) , inorganic chemistry , iodine , dissociation (chemistry) , catalysis , organic chemistry , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Abstract Red phosphorus is far less reactive than the white allotrope. On the other hand, it is easier to handle and not as toxic as white phosphorus. In the Lewis‐acidic ionic liquid (IL) [BMIm]Cl · 2AlCl 3 ([BMIm] = 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium), red phosphorus and elemental iodine form several iodides at moderate temperature. 31 P liquid‐ and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy was used to rationalize the reaction at various temperatures and ratios of the starting materials. Monitoring of the reaction revealed nanoscale red‐phosphorus particles. In addition to this top‐down formation, phosphorus nanoparticles were also obtained in a bottom‐up synthesis by dissociation of P 2 I 4 in the IL. Depending on the ratio of red phosphorus and iodine, as well as the reaction temperature, P 2 I 4 , PI 3 , or P 2 I 5 + dominate.