Phosphorus
Syllabus:
- Allotropes of phosphorus (name only)
- Preparation (no diagram and description is required), properties
(basic nature, reducing nature, action with halogens and oxygen) and
uses of phosphine
Allotropes of Phosphorus
Phosphorus exists in different allotropes:
● Red phosphorus
● White phosphorus
● Black phosphorus
● Scarlet phosphorus
● Violet phosphorus etc.
Preparation of phosphine gas (PH3)
● When calcium and sodium phosphides reacts with water,
phosphine gas is obtained.
Ca3P2 + H2O → Ca(OH)2 + PH3
● Phosphine gas is formed by the action of phosphonium iodide
with sodium hydroxide.
PH4I + NaOH → PH3 + NaI + H2O
●In the lab, phosphine gas is prepared by heating white phosphorus
with the solution of NaOH or KOH.
P4 + NaOH + H2O ⟶ PH3 + NaH2PO2
Physical properties
⮚It is a colorless gas with a foul, rotten fish odor.
⮚Toxic in nature.
⮚Slightly soluble in water and heavier than air.
⮚It liquefies at -85°C and solidifies at -135°C.
Chemical properties
● Decomposition: It decomposes to give red phosphorus & hydrogen.
4PH3 ⟶ P4 + 6H2
● Basic nature: It is weaker base than ammonia.
PH3 + H2O⟶ PH4+ + OH−
Weak basic nature of phosphine (PH3) then ammonia (NH3) is due to the vacant
orbital of phosphorus & lone pair of the electron that cannot be donated easily.
PH3 + HX ⟶ PH4X (Phosphonium halide)
● Actions with halogens : It reacts with chlorine to produce phosphorous
trichloride or phosphorus pentachloride as follows:
PH3 + 3Cl2 → 3HCl + PCl3
PH3 + 4Cl2 → 3HCl + PCl5
● Combustion:
It burns with air to form phosphorus pentoxide phosphoric acid.
PH3 + O2→ P2O5 + H2O
PH3 + O2 → H3PO4
● Reducing agent:
It reduces chlorine to chloride.
PH3 + Cl2 ⟶ PCl5 + HCl
It reduces metal ions like Cu2+, Ag+, Au3+ to respective metals.
CuSO4 + PH3 ⟶ Cu3P2↓ + H2SO4
Cu3P2 ⟶ Cu + P4
AgNO3 + PH3 ⟶ Ag3P + HNO3
Ag3P ⟶ Ag + P4
Uses of Phosphine
● Fumigant: Protects stored grains from pests.
● Smoke Screens: Used in wars and riots.
● Holme’s Signal: Emergency sea signaling.
Ca₃P₂ + H₂O → PH₃ (Phosphine gas)
CaC₂ + H₂O → C₂H₂ (Acetylene gas)
PH₃ & C₂H₂ ignite in air, creating a bright signal.
● Semiconductor Industry: Used in electronics.
● Chemical Synthesis: Acts as a reducing agent.
Questions:
1. Name the allotropes of phosphorus.
2. Write the chemical properties and uses of phosphine gas.
3. How phosphine gas is prepared from white phosphorus?
4. Write the action of calcium phosphide on water.
5. Write the balanced chemical equations to show the basic nature of
phosphine gas.
6. Why is phosphine gas less basic than ammonia?
7. What happens when phosphine gas is treated with
(a) Copper sulfate solution
(b) Chlorine gas
15. What happens when phosphine gas is burnt in air?
