phosphine
/'fɔsfi:n/
Definition
- Noun:
- A colorless, flammable, toxic gas with a strong odor of decaying fish: Phosphine is a chemical compound (PH₃) used primarily as a fumigant pesticide.
- (Chemistry) A specific hydride of phosphorus: In chemistry, "phosphine" refers to the compound PH₃ or can denote a class of organophosphorus compounds derived from it.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- Phosphine is used to protect stored grain from insects.
- The laboratory safety manual details the extreme hazards of inhaling phosphine.
- The characteristic smell of phosphine is often described as resembling rotten fish.
Advanced Usage
"Phosphine gas": A common term specifying the gaseous state.
- The detection of phosphine gas in the atmosphere of Venus was a significant scientific finding.
"Metal phosphine complex": In advanced chemistry, referring to coordination compounds where a phosphine molecule is bonded to a metal center.
- The catalyst's activity depends on the specific metal phosphine complex used.
Variants and Related Words
- Phosphines (plural noun): Can refer to multiple molecules of PH₃ or, more commonly in chemistry, to a class of compounds where organic groups replace hydrogen atoms in PH₃ (e.g., trimethylphosphine).
- Phosphonium (noun): The conjugate acid of phosphine (PH₄⁺), formed when phosphine accepts a proton.
Synonyms
- Phosphane: The IUPAC systematic name for PH₃.
- Hydrogen phosphide: An alternative name emphasizing its composition.
Related Phrases / Terms
- Phosphine fumigation: The process of using phosphine gas to eliminate pests.
- Phosphine fumigation requires strict safety protocols due to the gas's toxicity.
- Phosphine oxide: A compound containing a phosphorus-oxygen double bond (R₃P=O), often formed by the oxidation of a phosphine.
Noun
-
a colorless gas with a strong fishy smell; used as a pesticide
