phosphorus pentoxide

American  

[pen-tok-sahyd, -sid] / pɛnˈtɒk saɪd, -sɪd /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a white, deliquescent, crystalline powder, P 2 O 5 , 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.

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phosphorus pentoxide British  

noun

1. Also called: phosphoric anhydride.  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 )

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Example Sentences

Maleic anhydride is obtained by distilling fumaric acid with phosphorus pentoxide.

From Project Gutenberg

Most artificial smokes, Miss Raskin explained, are made of fairly heavy materials such as phosphorus pentoxide or petroleum oils.

From Time Magazine Archive

When a lubricant is wanted that will withstand the action of ether, the tap may be lubricated by sprinkling phosphorus pentoxide upon it, and exposing it to air till the oxide becomes gummy.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be prepared by fusion of ortho-toluene sulphonic acid with potash; by the action of phosphorus pentoxide on carvacrol; or by the action of zinc chloride on camphor.

From Project Gutenberg

A phosphorus grenade crashed through the window and exploded with a globe of yellow flame the size of a basketball; dense clouds of phosphorus pentoxide gushed from it and the sprinkler system switched on, drenching the room.

From Project Gutenberg