Phosphorus Compounds and their Non-Fertilizer Applications-Interaction between Pure and    Applied Chemistry

Rabat (Morocco), 17-21 October 1977
Proceedings edited by IMPHOS

This is the first international congress organized by IMPHOS on phosphorus compounds, which was aimed at giving a clear picture of what was then an update of scientific and technical knowledge relevant to non-fertilizer uses of phosphorus compounds. It was also aimed at presenting the general findings of fundamental and applied research on the development of uses of phosphorus compounds.

It was an opportunity for well-known specialists and researchers to share ideas on phosphorus compounds, from the standpoint of pure or applied chemistry.

The proceedings consist of papers presented at the congress under the following topics :

1. General aspects of phosphorus chemistry
2. Phosphorus in biology
3. Detergents and water treatment
4. Fire control and fire-fighting phosphorus compounds
5. Phosphorus as an apatite
6. Phosphorus in feeding
7. Phosphorus compounds in chemotherapy
8. Phosphorus compounds in organic synthesis and in catalysis
9. Phosphorus compounds in plant protection and control
10. Phosphorus compounds in metal surface treatment and in various industrial applications

The proceedings also include an open discussion of the topic: Crucial advances expected from research on the different themes in the congress.

During the various sessions, it was established then that :

	Various organophosphorus compounds are efficient in fighting cancer and that others may be so in fighting leprosy;
	Other phosphorus compounds will allow for improving the possibilities of extracting uranium and other rare metals from certain ores;
	Despite the criticism they incur, sodium polyphosphates will remain a major component of detergents   used the world over since their replacement by other products gives rise to serious draw-backs;
	Present knowledge of apatite-structured solids has brought new ways of conceiving phosphorus, calcium and magnesium metabolism and the behavior of bones and teeth, capable of leading to new   therapies for bone diseases. This work on apatites also opens up new paths for treating phosphate   ores and for making up-to-date material with the excellent electrical or magnetic properties;
	Phosphorus plays an important role in the security of everyday life and in protection of the environment   as a component of fire-proofing products:
	Phosphorus is constantly used in the elaboration of everyday objects concerning notably the automobile, aviation;
	Progress in the study of organophosphorus compounds should allow for developing new pesticides and contributing largely to agricultural production and in fighting hunger which has hit certain countries in ways different than, and yet to as great an extent, as do fertilizers.
	Studies concerning animal feeding have shown serious progress, opening up new prospects for broad-based applications in various countries.

Copies of proceedings are available from IMPHOS.