Chemical Properties
Phenylphosphine is a clear, colorless liquid. Foul odor.
Uses
Exposure to phenylphosphine may occur when phenylphosphinates
(used as catalysts and antioxidants) are heated
above 200°C, yielding phenylphosphonic acid
derivatives and phenylphosphine.
Uses
It is mainly used as a precursor to other organophosphorus compounds. It can function as aligandin coordination chemistry. Phenylphosphine also have uses in polymer synthesis.
Preparation
Phenylphosphine can be produced by reducing dichlorophenylphosphine with lithium aluminum hydride in ether: LiAlH4 + 2C6H5PCl2 → 2C6H5PH2 + Li+ + Al3+ + 4Cl− This reaction is performed under a nitrogen atmosphere to prevent side reactions involving oxygen.
General Description
Clear colorless liquid.
Air & Water Reactions
Pyrophoric in air. Insoluble in water. Slowly generates flammable or noxious gases in contact with water.
Reactivity Profile
Phenyl phosphine is a reducing agent. They slowly generate flammable or noxious gases in contact with water. Phosphides react quickly upon contact with moisture or acids to give the very toxic gas phosphine; phosphides also can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. In general, materials in this group are incompatible with oxidizers such as atmospheric oxygen. They are violently incompatible with acids, particularly oxidizing acids.
Health Hazard
Phenylphosphine is a respiratory and skin irritant; multiple exposures in
rodents causes hematologic changes and testicular degeneration in males.
Fire Hazard
Flash point data are not available for Phenyl phosphine, but Phenyl phosphine is probably combustible.
Safety Profile
Poison by inhalation. Igmtes spontaneously in air. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of POx. See also PHOSPHINE.
Potential Exposure
Polyphosphinate is used as an intermediate or a chemical reagent. Polyphosphinate compounds are used as catalysts and antioxidants disproportionate, when heated to give phosphonic acid derivatives plus PF.
Shipping
UN2845 Pyrophoric liquids, organic, n.o.s Hazard Class: 4.2, Labels: 4.2-Spontaneously combustible material. Technical Name Required. Note: this chemical is also a strong reducing agent.
Incompatibilities
A strong reducing agent. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides. Water reactive; spontaneously combustible in high concentrations in moist air. Potential exposure to gaseous phenylphosphine and phosphorus oxides when heated above 200C. Organophosphates are susceptible to formation of highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas in the presence of strong reducing agents such as hydrideds and active metals. Partial oxidation by oxidizing agents may result in the release of toxic phosphorus oxides.
References
[1] Freedman, Leon D., and G. O. Doak. “The Reduction of Benzenephosphonyl Dichloride.” <em>Journal of the American Chemical Society</em>, 74 13, 1952, pp. 3414–15,
https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01133a504.[2] Rauhut, M. M., et al. “The Cyanoethylation of Phosphine and Phenylphosphine.” <em>Journal of the American Chemical Society</em>, 81 5, 1959, pp. 1103–07,
https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01514a022.
