White phosphorous is a discrete P₄ unit containing 4 P-P bond and the bond angle of P-P-P is ${60}^{\circ }$ which makes it highly reactive in nature.

${\mathrm{P}}_4+3\mathrm{NaOH}+3{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\to 3{\mathrm{NaH}}_2{\mathrm{PO}}_2+{\mathrm{PH}}_3$

In the structure of P₄, each phosphorous contain a lone pair. Therefore, in total 4 lone pairs are present in the P₄ molecule.

White phosphorus is insoluble in water but soluble in carbon disulfide.