An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A colorless, flammable, and explosive gas at ambient temperature with unpleasant smell of rotten fish or garlic.

Named also hydride of phosphorus (PH₃), it is highly poisonous in nature. On cooling to 185.5 K, phosphine condenses to a liquid and on cooling to 139.5 K, it solidifies. By heating in the absence of air at 713 K or by passing an electric spark through it, phosphine breaks into its elements.

Small amounts occur naturally from the break down of organic matter. It is heavier than air and slightly soluble in water. Phosphine is used in semiconductor and plastics industries, in the production of a flame retardant, and as a pesticide in stored grain. Phosphine has two strong absorption bands in → infrared at 10 and 9 μm.

See also: From phosph-, variant of phospho-, denoting → phosphorus, used before a vowel + suffix -ine, ultimately from L. -inus, used to form names of chemical substances, especially basic (alkaline) substances, alkaloidal substances, or halogen elements.