PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARATION OF PHOSPHORUS OXYACIDS FROM ELEMENTAL PHOSPHORUS

摘要

A process for the preparation of an oxyacid of phosphorus comprising contacting elemental phosphorus with water in the presence of a catalyst effective to promote oxidation of phosphorus by reaction with water. The use of a noble metal catalyst such as Pd under moderate agitation and low severity conditions is effective for the preparation of P(III) oxyacid in high selectivity. Other platinum metals, and oxides, salts, phosphides and coordination compounds of platinum metals, Group IB metals and Group VIII metals, may also be used as catalysts. Various apparatus and process schemes for the preparation of phosphoric and phosphorous acid are also disclosed.