What does phosphine mean?
Phosphine is a colourless, flammable, extremely poisonous gas formed by combining phosphorus and hydrogen. Its chemical formula is PH3, and it is also known by the systematic name phosphane. The gas has a strong garlic-like or decaying-fish odour, though smell cannot be relied on as a safe method of detection. Phosphine has been used as an agricultural fumigant and as an intermediate in chemical manufacture, and it may be encountered in industrial accidents involving certain refrigerants or in poorly controlled grain storage. In technical chemistry, the plural phosphines names a class of compounds related to amines but containing phosphorus. The word is especially associated with safety warnings because exposure can cause severe respiratory and neurological injury. Although small amounts of some phosphines serve useful roles in synthesis, the toxicity of the gas makes careful handling, monitoring, and specialist knowledge essential.
nounA colourless, flammable, highly toxic gas composed of phosphorus and hydrogen, with the formula PH3. In organic chemistry, phosphines are also a class of compounds related to amines but containing phosphorus in place of nitrogen.
- The gaseous compound PH3, a colourless, flammable, highly toxic phosphorus hydride used industrially and historically as a fumigant.
- A member of a class of phosphorus-containing organic compounds related to amines, especially those used as ligands in coordination chemistry.
"The workers were evacuated after a fault caused phosphine gas to leak from a refrigeration system."
"Fumigation crews entered the warehouse only after confirming that the phosphine concentration had fallen to a safe level."
"The ligand is a triphenylphosphine, one of the best-known phosphines used in organic synthesis."
The plural is uncommon in general writing but is standard in technical chemistry for the class of compounds related to amines.
"Several phosphines are widely used as ligands in industrial organic chemistry."
Phosphine is both a useful chemical reagent and a dangerous fumigant: a tiny amount can be fatal, while its distinctive garlic-like or fishy smell provides an important warning.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does phosphine come from?
The word belongs to the family of terms derived from phosphorus, whose name comes from Greek phōsphoros, meaning light-bearing. The suffix -ine was used in chemical naming for a hydrogen compound related to phosphorus, and the systematic alternative phosphane reflects the same phosphorus-hydrogen composition. Related chemical terms include phosphide, phosphite, and phosphonium, all reflecting the same Greek root.
Related word forms
How phosphine is actually used
In general use, the word most often refers specifically to the toxic gas PH3. The plural phosphines is also used in technical chemistry for the broader class of phosphorus compounds, so context is important. Because the gas is extremely hazardous, safety terminology such as phosphine detector and phosphine poisoning is common in industrial and agricultural settings.
Easily confused with phosphine
Phosphine is a toxic phosphorus-containing gas, whereas a phosphene is a visual sensation of light or colour perceived without an external stimulus.