Arsenic pentoxide
Encyclopedia
Arsenic pentoxide is the inorganic compound
with the formula As2O5. This glassy, white solid is relatively unstable, consistent with the rarity of the As(V) oxidation state. More common, and far more important commercially, is arsenic(III) oxide (As2O3).
As2O5, which like phosphorus pentoxide
is hygroscopic, dissolves readily in water to form arsenic acid
, H3AsO4.
Inorganic compound
Inorganic compounds have traditionally been considered to be of inanimate, non-biological origin. In contrast, organic compounds have an explicit biological origin. However, over the past century, the classification of inorganic vs organic compounds has become less important to scientists,...
with the formula As2O5. This glassy, white solid is relatively unstable, consistent with the rarity of the As(V) oxidation state. More common, and far more important commercially, is arsenic(III) oxide (As2O3).
Synthesis and reactions
Arsenic pentoxide can be crystallized by heating As2O3 under oxygen. In fact, arsenic pentoxide decomposes to oxygen and As2O3 upon heating.As2O5, which like phosphorus pentoxide
Phosphorus pentoxide
Phosphorus pentoxide is a chemical compound with molecular formula P4O10 . This white crystalline solid is the anhydride of phosphoric acid. It is a powerful desiccant.-Structure:...
is hygroscopic, dissolves readily in water to form arsenic acid
Arsenic acid
Arsenic acid is the chemical compound with the formula H3AsO4. More descriptively written as AsO3, this colorless acid is the arsenic analogue of phosphoric acid. Arsenate and phosphate salts behave very similarly. Arsenic acid as such has not been isolated, but only found in solution where it...
, H3AsO4.