phosphine

/'fɔsfi:n/

Thân thiện

A scientist carefully handles a sealed container of phosphine in the laboratory.

Definition

1. 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.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a colorless gas with a strong fishy smell; used as a pesticide