P4 + 16 H2O + 10 I2 → 4 H3PO4 + 20 HI

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

4 P0 - 20 e- → 4 PV (oxidation)

20 I0 + 20 e- → 20 I-I (reduction)

P4 is a reducing agent, I2 is an oxidizing agent.

Reactants:

  • 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
  • I2
    • Names: Iodine source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Jod source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Iode source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Bluish black or dark purple crystals with pungent odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Violet solid with a sharp, characteristic odor. source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02

Products:

  • 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
  • HI – Iodane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Hydroiodic acid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Hydrogen iodide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Hydronium iodide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: Colorless liquid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colourless compressed liquefied gas with pungent odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04