[billnotgatez]

Sulfur and Phosphorus

A friend said he wanted to combine these two elements to form a eutectic.

He asked me if they could be put together under water.

He also asked if white phosphorus could be purchased anywhere.

I have no experience with combining these and decided to ask the forum.

By the way when you combine them do you get an alloy, mixture or compound.

Are there element collectors out there that have a source for white phosphorus.

Regards,
Bill

[SirRoderick]

White Phosphorous is very reactive and ignites spontaneously. Do not try to work with it would be my advice. I doubt you can just go out and buy some.

[mnakhla]

I am not sure about a eutectic, but if reacted in the correct ratios one could get Phosphorus pentasulfide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphorus_pentasulfide
which according to that wiki pages has many uses, but it looks like you would have to react white phosphorus with sulfur at 300 degrees C under inert atmosphere.
The only way I know for a non-institution to get white phosphorus is to heat up red phosphorus till white phosphorous distills and to store it under water.