Phosphorus dioxide explained

Phosphorus dioxide is a gaseous oxide of phosphorus. It is a free radical that plays a role in the chemiluminescence of phosphorus and phosphine.^[1] It is produced when phosphates are heated to high temperatures.^[2]

In the ground state the molecule is bent, like nitrogen dioxide, but there is an excited state that is linear.^[1]

Notes and References

1. Lawrence L. Lohr . A theoretical study of the gaseous oxides PO₂ and PO, their anions, and their role in the combustion of phosphorus and phosphine . . Jul 2, 1984 . 10.1021/j150667a022.
2. etal . Bing Deng . Rare earth elements from waste . Science Advances . Feb 9, 2022 . 8 . 6 . 10.1126/sciadv.abm3132 . 8827657 .