Dephosphorization is a crucial refining step in steelmaking aimed at removing phosphorus, which makes steel brittle.
The process is most effective under oxidizing conditions because phosphorus is oxidized to \(\text{P}_2\text{O}_5\), which can then be absorbed by the slag.
To retain this phosphate compound in the slag, a basic slag (rich in calcium oxide, CaO) is necessary, which stabilizes the \(\text{P}_2\text{O}_5\) as calcium phosphate.
Acid slags or reducing atmospheres are ineffective because they cannot sustain phosphorus in the oxidized form required for removal.