How can phosphorus be used in explosives?

Phosphorus can pentacovalently bind to oxygen. The bond energy of a P-O bond is high. When you break that bond a large exotherm is observed. If you pack together many P-O bonds in a closed system and break 1 bond, the energy released will break other bonds leading to a chemical cascade. The energy will get so great that an instant explosion will be observed. Try mixing menthos with diet coke