is phosphorus diatomic
Phosphorus can form a diatomic molecule P 2 with a triple bond, like N 2, but only at higher temperatures and in the gas phase. It easily forms a tetrahedral P 4 molecule that exists in the gas phase and also as a waxy solid and viscous liquid, melting at 44.1Â°C and boiling at 280Â°C.n burning, it produces P 2 O 5 smoke, as white phosphorus does. White phosphorus usually has a yellow tinge due to small amounts of red phosphorus, so it is sometimes called yellow phosphorus. The red and yellow forms are good examples of allotropes, like diamond and graphite.