30 Zn + 32 H3PO4 → 10 Zn3(PO4)2 + 3 P4 + 48 H2O

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

12 PV + 60 e- → 12 P0 (reduction)

30 Zn0 - 60 e- → 30 ZnII (oxidation)

H3PO4 is an oxidizing agent, Zn is a reducing agent.

Reactants:

  • Zn
    • Names: Zinc source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07, Zinc powder (pyrophoric) source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Zn source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07
    • Appearance: Grey-to-blue powder source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • H3PO4
    • Names: Phosphoric acid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Orthophosphoric acid source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Phosphoric(V) acid source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: Hygroscopic colourless crystals source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Thick, colorless, odorless, crystalline solid. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02

Products:

  • Zn3(PO4)2 – Zinc phosphate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Zinc(II) phosphate source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: White solid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28
  • P4
  • H2O – Water, oxidane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Water (H2O) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen hydroxide (HH or HOH) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen oxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: White crystalline solid, almost colorless liquid with a hint of blue, colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27