Phosphorus pentoxide
Agent Name
Phosphorus pentoxide
CAS Number
1314-56-3
Formula
O5-P2
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
Diphosphorus pentaoxide; Diphosphorus pentoxide; Phosphoric acid anhydride; \
Phosphoric acid, anhydrous; Phosphoric anhydride; Phosphoric oxide; Phosphoric pentoxide; Phosphorus oxide; Phosphorus oxide (P2O5); Phosphorus pentaoxide; Phosphorus pentoxide; Phosphorus(V) oxide; Phosphorus, oxide, pent-; UN1807; [ChemIDplus] The dimeric form is called tetraphosphorus decaoxide (P4O10). [CHEMINFO]
Category
Phosphorus Compounds
Description
White crystals or powder; Deliquescent; [CHEMINFO]
Sources/Uses
Used as a drying and dehydrating agent, a chemical intermediate, and a catalyst (air blowing of asphalt); Also used in sugar refining; [CHEMINFO]
Comments
Can cause severe burns of skin and eyes; Dust reacts with moisture in respiratory tract to form phosphoric acid; Unaccustomed workers can tolerate 3.6-11.3 mg/m3, but 50-100 mg/m3 was intolerable because of coughing. [CHEMINFO] Inhalation of dust may cause lung edema; [ICSC]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
MAK
2 mg/m3, inhalable fraction
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 1,217 mg/m3/1H
Explanatory Notes
VP = essentially zero at room temperature; [CHEMINFO]
ERPG-1
1 mg/m3
ERPG-2
10 mg/m3
ERPG-3
50 mg/m3
Adverse Effects
Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Dermatotoxin
Skin burns
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: