Red phosphorus

Red phosphorus can be made from heat-treating white phosphorus in sealed containers or by exposing it to sunlight.

Red phosphorus was discovered in 1845 by Anton von Schrötter, an Austrian chemist. He put white phosphorus in a flask that contained nitrogen and heated it to around 482 degrees F for a few hours.

Red phosphorus is used in the production of semiconductors, pyrotechnics, fertilizers, safety matches, pesticides, smoke bombs, incendiary shells in organic synthesis reactions and certain flame retardants. It is also used in electroluminescent coatings.

Red phosphorus is used in the making of methamphetamine (meth), an illegal drug. In this process, red phosphorus is mixed with iodine to produce hydriodic acid.