Spontaneous Combustion of White Phosphorous
Description: A solution of white phosphorus in carbon disulfide is used to write on paper. Within a few minutes, the carbon disulfide evaporates and the paper chars.
This demonstration is available on video and JCE Software: “Chemistry Comes Alive!” CD-Rom Vol. 3
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1983 Vol: 1 Page: 74
Keywords: White Phosphorus, Carbon disulfide, Paper, Spontaneous combustion
Rating: 
Hazard: High
- Acute toxicity hazard – oral, inhalation
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Serious eye damage
- Short term aquatic toxicity hazard
- Flammability hazard
- Pyrophoric solids
- Reproductive hazard
- Repeated exposure hazard – central nervous system, peripheral nervous system
Effectiveness: Good
- Somewhat connected to course material
- Time to results is medium
- Good reliability
- Strong effects are seen by audience
- Results are clearly observable without guidance
Difficulty: Medium
- Simple procedures
- Simple manipulations for most to perform
- Use and handling of highly toxic and pyrophoric reagents
- Handling of high vapor pressure reagents
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Lab coat recommended
- Downdraft hood or fume hood required
- Use of chemically resistant surface
- Perform in a large, well-ventilated area
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
- Absorbent material on hand
- Water on hand
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
Class: Combustion Reaction, Main Group Elements, Thermochemistry
Division: General
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