| phosphine | <chemistry> A colourless gas, PH3, analogous to ammonia, and having a disagreeable odour resembling that of garlic. Synonym: hydrogen phosphide, and formerly, phosphureted hydrogen. It is the most important compound of phosphorus and hydrogen, and is produced by the action of caustic potash on phosphorus. It is spontaneously inflammable, owing to impurities, and in burning produces peculiar vortical rings of smoke. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| phosphines | Inorganic or organic compounds derived from phosphine (ph3) by the replacement of h atoms. (12 Dec 1998) |