phosphorus pentoxide

[pen-tok-sahyd, -sid]

noun Chemistry.

a white, deliquescent, crystalline powder, P2O5, that, depending upon the amount of water it absorbs, forms orthophosphoric acid, metaphosphoric acid, or pyrophosphoric acid, produced by the burning of phosphorus in dry air: used in the preparation of phosphoric acids, as a drying and dehydrating agent, and in organic synthesis.

Also called phosphoric anhydride.

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British Dictionary definitions for phosphorus pentoxide

phosphorus pentoxide

noun

a white odourless solid produced when phosphorus burns: has a strong affinity for water with which it forms phosphoric acids. Formula: P 2 O 5 (commonly existing as the dimer P 4 O 10)Also called: phosphoric anhydride

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