Process and apparatus for preparation of phosphorus oxyacids from elemental phosphorus

Abstract

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 suitable catalysts may comprise, for example, other Group VIII metals (particularly other platinum metals); oxides, salts, phosphides, and/or coordination compounds of Group VIII metals; Group IB metals; and/or oxides, salts, phosphides, and/or coordination is compounds of Group IB metals. Various apparatus and process schemes for the preparation of phosphoric and phosphorous acid are also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.