Glow of phosphorus

R. Boyle observed that the presence of a minute quantity of a number of essential oils—e.g. oil of mace or of aniseed—extinguished the glow of phosphorus. J. Davy, H. A. von Vogel, and T, Graham showed that the luminescence is not prevented when the vapour of sulphur, or of acetic acid, hydrogen chloride, or ammonia is present phosphorus is luminous in hydrogen chloride or carbon... 

Phosphorus trioxide itself inhibits the glow of phosphorus, being about three times as powerful in this respect as ethylene. The ratio of the partial pressure of trioxide to that of ethylene which just stops the glow9 is about 145. 

The glow is exhibited by ordinary phosphorus trioxide,2 but is then really due to small quantities of dissolved phosphorus. The oxide when purified as described on p. 126 gave only a momentary glow at the commencement of the oxidation (by oxygen), which afterwards proceeded without emission of light. The glow of phosphorus, which actually is inhibited by the trioxide, is restored continuously as this is hydrated by small amounts of water vapour.3 The inhibitory effect of P4Og is also removed by ozone. 

The Glow of Phosphorus—Effect of Pressure upon Oxidation of Phosphorus— Velocity of the Reaction—Effect of Temperature—Production of Ozone— Inhibition of the Glow—Nature of the Chemiluminescence—Ionisation by the Glow—The Emission Spectrum. 

The emission of fight observed by Brand was actually chemiluminescence. The fight arises from PO2 molecules in an excited state. This excited state of PO2 is brought about by the reaction between PO and ozone, which are both intermediates in the fundamental reaction between oxygen in air and P4 vapor evaporating from the solid white phosphorus. It is unfortunate that the chemiluminescent glow of phosphorus gave rise to the term... 

John Davy published on the combinations of metals with chlorine, on hydrofluoric acid (describing compoimds of boron fluoride and ammonia, BF3,NH3, etc.), on corrosive sublimate, and the glow of phosphorus. He showed that serpent excrement consists almost entirely of uric acid. ... 

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