Phosphorus principal characteristics

Functional Groups on Molecules. Organic molecules are composed principally of carbon and hydrogen. However, their unique characteristics are related to structures termed functional groups involving oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, or sulfur. 

The principal form of toxicity of absorbed elemental phosphorus, a destructive jaw process (phossy jaw), has been virtually eliminated by using (a) less white phosphorus in all industrial settings other than the military and (b) efficient adjunctive dental screening of exposed individuals for periods of up to 2 years postexposure. Careful dental screening consists of regular radiological assessment of the mandible for characteristic lesions, early and aggressive treatment of those lesions, and absolute prohibition of further phosphorus exposure.33... 

Li Y, Yu JJ (1999) Geochemical characteristics of phosphorus near the Huanghe River Estuary. Chin J Oceanol Limnol 17(4) 359-365 Li Y, Yu, ZM, Song XX (2006) Application of principal component analysis (PCA) for the estimation of source of heavy metal contamination in marine sediments. Environ Sci 27(1) 137-141 (in Chinese with English abstract)... 

Alzheimer s disease, where the proteolytic degradation product of a hyperphosphorylated former membrane protein is the principal constituent of the characteristic plaques of Alzheimer s disease. Thus, there is great interest in the capacity to assay for kinase activities in tissue homogenates, " particularly if simple biopsies could suffice and there would be no need to resort to phosphorus-32, a high-energy emissions radionuclide that increases health risks. 

The principal phosphation reagents used to manufacture phosphate esters are phosphoric anhydride (P4O10), phosphorus oxychloride [P(0)Cl3], and polyphosphoric acid. It is important to understand the physical and chemical characteristics of each raw material. The structure of the phosphation agent affects its reactivity and selectivity, resulting in variation in the monoester, diester, and triester product distribution. 

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