Final answer:
Quenching and disposing of phosphorus pentasulfide (P2S5) involves careful controlled reactions to convert it to less hazardous materials, followed by neutralization and safe disposal according to local regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
To quench and get rid of P2S5, or phosphorus pentasulfide, appropriate chemical methods must be used. Given that it is a chemical compound which can react violently with water to form phosphoric acid and hydrogen sulfide gas, it's important to handle it with care.
The recommended approach for its disposal would include conversion to less hazardous materials through controlled reaction with water or alcohol under safe laboratory conditions. Following this, the generated products can be neutralized and disposed of in accordance with local regulations. In the process of preparing important phosphorus compounds, P2S5 may be a byproduct.
For example, during the preparation of orthophosphoric acid from calcium phosphate rock with concentrated sulfuric acid, P2S5 might not be involved, but in similar processes, byproducts like phosphorus chlorides or oxides can be generated.
These phosphorus-containing compounds can be managed by hydrolysis in water, which may involve, for example, the hydrolysis of phosphorus trichloride (PCl3) to produce phosphorous acid (H3PO3) and hydrochloric acid (HCl), a simpler and safer reaction than dealing directly with P2S5.