Nomenclature
CAS number: 7803-51-2
H
3P; mol wt 34.00.
H 8.89%, P 91.10%.
PH
3.
Description and references
Formed in small quantity in the putrefaction
of organic matter contg phosphorus. Prepd from white phosphorus and
aq alkali hydroxide; also by treatment of PH4I with KOH:
Klement in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic
Chemistry vol. 1, G. Brauer, Ed. (Academic
Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1963) pp 525-530; by pyrolysis of phosphorous
acid: Gokhale, Jolly, Inorg. Synth. 9, 56 (1967); by hydrolysis of a metal phosphide such
as calcium phosphide: Klement, loc. cit.; Baudler et al., Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 353, 122 (1967). Review of human exposure and toxicity:
N. Brautbar, J. Howard, Toxicol. Ind. Health 18, 71-75 (2002).
Properties
Gas; odor of decaying fish. Poisonous; flammable. bp -87.7°. mp -133°. Spontaneously flammable in air if there is a
trace of P2H4 present; burns with a luminous
flame. Slightly sol in water (0.26 vol. at 20°). Combines violently
with oxygen and the halogens. Liberates hydrogen and forms the phosphide
when passed over heated metal. Forms phosphonium salts when brought
in contact with the halogen acids.Caution
Potential symptoms of overexposure
are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea; thirst; chest tightness,
dyspnea; muscle pain, chills; stupor or syncope; pulmonary edema.
Direct contact with liquid may cause frostbite. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH
97-140, 1997) p 254. See also Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products, R. E. Gosselin et al., Eds. (Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 5th ed., 1984)
Section II, p 119.