Jor - 11-9-2009 at 14:47
I will soon be attempting the synthesis of white P from red P on a small scale (1 gram first, trial), like woelen did:
http://81.207.88.128/science/chem/exps/RedP2WhiteP/index.html
I'm taking a lot of precautions, but still there is the very small possibility that the DURAN test-tube breaks, and that hot burning phosphorus is
sprayed around. I will be working behind an almost closed sash (fume hood), but my hands COULD be hit by a piece of burning P.
So if I would get it on the skin, I would immediately extinquish by putting my hand in a decomtaminating solution. Why? Any phosphorus that remains in
a wound can poison and kill you.
Military uses copper(II)sulfate solution. But it's action is quite slow, and copper is toxic, especially because it is well absorbed from a wound (in
contrast to when it is ingested). I have been looking for better alternatives.
-Neutral or acidic (no more than 1M H2SO4) KMnO4. Problem is that the acidic solution cannot be stored (unstable, decomposes), and KMnO4 is precious
as it is watched here. But I think it's action is much faster. But is KMnO4 toxic?
-A solution of a halogen. So chlorine or bromine water, or a solution of iodine in aq. KI. The latter is commonly applied to skin to desinfect, so I
think it does not harm, and it's true that it rapidly destroys white P right?
The chlorine and bromine work very well i think. They are corrosive, but not that bad. However, I wonder how corrosive it is to open, burned skin.
-Bleach, corrosive but non-toxic. Does it quickly destroy phosphorus?
And as gloves, I have seen people recommend leather gloves. Do these really protect from a phosphorus fire, 800C hot? I would think it will just burn
through...
[Edited on 11-9-2009 by Jor]
entropy51 - 11-9-2009 at 16:45
Jor, I share your concerns regarding CuSO4 to decontaminate P burns, but I think the danger of absorbed Cu applies to large burns, such as occur in
war or industry.
But in high school a young lady did get a little burning white P on her finger and we treated it with CuSO4 per the lab manual of the day. Her finger
did heal, for what its worth. A more modern book on poisoning says to remove it from the skin using a stream of water. In med school they taught us
to use water to remove chemicals from the skin and not to conduct a neutralization on the skin.
Where the heck are you that KMnO4 is watched?? Here on the east coast of the US the hardware stores sell large containers, I think up to several
pounds. I bought the smallest container, a lifetime supply.
I think the advantage of leather gloves is that you can pull them off before the P burns through to your skin.
Personally, I would not neutralize it with a halogen, but that's just my instinct.
My best recommendation is to remove it using a rapid stream of water, keep it immersed in water and call the Poison Control Center. They usually have
the most current information.
[Edited on 12-9-2009 by entropy51]