General Description
Dark gray or dark yellow solid. Contact may irritate skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. Used as an insecticide.
Air & Water Reactions
Decomposes in moist air and in water to give toxic gaseous phosphine which often ignites [Merck 11th ed. 1989].
Reactivity Profile
Aluminum phosphide is a reducing agent. Can react vigorously with oxidizing agents [Sax, 9th ed., p. 119]. Produces highly toxic phosphine gas upon contact with water or alkali. Evolves phosphine with explosive violence in contact with mineral acids [Wang, C. C. et al.; J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem., 1963, 25, p. 327]. Decomposes when heated to give highly toxic fumes of oxides of phosphorus.
Health Hazard
TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Reaction with water or moist air will release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars etc.). Substance will react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases and runoff. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.
