Solubility of white phosphorus Why is white phosphorus soluble in $\ce{CS2}$ but red phosphorus not? Is it something in relation with the structures of both? Please explain.
White phosphorus has P4 molecules packed into a crystal,these dissolve readily in Carbon Disulfide.



Whereas Red phosphorus is polymeric in nature. It is a derivative of white phosphorus where one P-P bond is broken and an addtional bond is formed with neighboring tetrahedron molecule resulting in a chain like structure .



Like all long chain polymers this will lower its ability to dissolve and its solubility in solvents