Nitric acid: oxidation-reduction reactions

Reaction with white phosphorous

White phosphorous..

..is introduced in concentrated nitric acid.

A reaction starts,..

gets very intensive..

and quite dangerous !! Don't do it in the classroom!

White phosphorous..

$P_4$ $-$ $20e^-$ $+$ $10H_2O$ $\longrightarrow$ $P_4O_{10}$ $+$ $20H^+$ $HNO_3$ $+$ $3e^-$ $+$ $3H^+$ $\longrightarrow$ $NO$ $+$ $2H_2O$

$3P_4$ $+$ $20HNO_3$ $\longrightarrow$ $3P_4O_{10}$ $+$ $20NO$ $+$ $40H_2O$