Electrochemical behavior of white phosphorus in absolute ethanol: Voltammetry on rotating platinum and graphite electrodes

Voltammetric measurements show that white phosphorus in ethanol containing sulfuric acid passivates the platinum electrode in both anodic and cathodic regions. Adding hydrogen chloride makes almost no impact on voltammetric c urves. The current of anodic oxidation of phosphorus essentially increases upon adding tetrabutylammonium iodide. No passivation occurs on the graphit e electrode. Considerable currents of the phosphorus oxidation are observed on this electrode in the presence of both hydrogen chloride and tetrabutyl ammonium iodide. The measurements show that graphite has some promise as an electrode material for electrochemical syntheses based on the element phos phorus.