Phosphine (CHEM000223)

Record Information
Version1.0
Creation Date2009-03-06 18:58:23 UTC
Update Date2026-04-05 15:20:19 UTC
Accession NumberCHEM000223
Identification
Common NamePhosphine
ClassSmall Molecule
Description
Fumigant for cereals, flour, packaged foods Phosphine has been shown to exhibit anti-tumor function (3). Phosphine belongs to the family of Other Non-metal Hydrides. These are inorganic compounds in which the heaviest atom bonded to an hydrogen atom is belongs to the class of 'other non-metals'.
Contaminant Sources
  • Clean Air Act Chemicals
  • FooDB Chemicals
  • HPV EPA Chemicals
  • OSHA Hazardous Chemicals
  • STOFF IDENT Compounds
  • T3DB toxins
Contaminant Type
  • Food Toxin
  • Human Neurotoxin
  • Industrial/Workplace Toxin
  • Inorganic Compound
  • Metabolite
  • Non-Metal
  • Pesticide
  • Pollutant
  • Synthetic Compound
Chemical Structure
MOLSDFPDBSMILESInChI
Synonyms
ValueSource
15PChEBI
FosforoChEBI
PChEBI
PhosphorChEBI
PhosphoreChEBI
Hittorf'S phosphorusHMDB
PhosphorousHMDB
Phosphorus-30HMDB
Red phosphorusHMDB
Violet phosphorusHMDB
White phosphorusHMDB
Phosphorus 31HMDB
Phosphorus, redHMDB
Phosphorus-31HMDB
Phosphorus, whiteHMDB
Phosphorus, blackHMDB
Yellow phosphorusHMDB
Phosphorus, yellowHMDB
Black phosphorusHMDB
PhosphorusChEBI
Chemical FormulaH3P
Average Molecular Mass33.998 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass33.997 g/mol
CAS Registry Number7803-51-2
IUPAC Namephosphanylidyne
Traditional Namephosphanylidyne
SMILESP
InChI IdentifierInChI=1S/H3P/h1H3
InChI KeyXYFCBTPGUUZFHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Chemical Taxonomy
Description Belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as homogeneous other non-metal compounds. These are inorganic non-metallic compounds in which the largest atom belongs to the class of 'other non-metals'.
KingdomInorganic compounds
Super ClassHomogeneous non-metal compounds
ClassHomogeneous other non-metal compounds
Sub ClassNot Available
Direct ParentHomogeneous other non-metal compounds
Alternative ParentsNot Available
Substituents
  • Homogeneous other non metal
Molecular FrameworkNot Available
External Descriptors
Biological Properties
StatusDetected and Not Quantified
OriginExogenous
Cellular Locations
  • Cytoplasm
  • Extracellular
Biofluid LocationsNot Available
Tissue LocationsNot Available
PathwaysNot Available
ApplicationsNot Available
Biological RolesNot Available
Chemical RolesNot Available
Physical Properties
StateGas
AppearanceNot Available
Experimental Properties
PropertyValue
Melting Point-132.5°C
Boiling PointNot Available
SolubilityNot Available
Predicted Properties
PropertyValueSource
logP0.3ChemAxon
Physiological Charge0ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count0ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count0ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area0 ŲChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count0ChemAxon
Refractivity5.2 m³·mol⁻¹ChemAxon
Polarizability1.78 ųChemAxon
Number of Rings0ChemAxon
BioavailabilityYesChemAxon
Rule of FiveYesChemAxon
Ghose FilterNoChemAxon
Veber's RuleYesChemAxon
MDDR-like RuleNoChemAxon
Spectra
Spectra
Toxicity Profile
Route of ExposureOral (7) ; inhalation (7) ; dermal (7)
Mechanism of ToxicityPhosphine inhibits cytochrome c oxidase, preventing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. This non-competitive inhibition prevents cellular respiration and leads to multi-organ dysfunction. Phosphine can also react with hydrogen peroxide to form the highly reactive hydroxyl radical, which can cause lipid peroxidation. (1, 2)
MetabolismPhosphine and metal phosphides may be absorbed following ingestion or inhalation, then distribute to the nervous system, liver, and kidney. In the body, metal phosphides are hydrolysed to phosphine, and phosphine is oxidized to hypophosphite and phosphite. Metabolites are excreted in the urine, while unchanged phosphine is exhaled. (6)
Toxicity ValuesLC50: 11 ppm over 4 hours (Inhalation, Rat) (8)
Lethal DoseNot Available
Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Uses/SourcesPhosphine is used in semiconductor and plastics industries, in the production of a flame retardant, and as a pesticide in stored grain. (4)
Minimum Risk LevelNot Available
Health EffectsInhalation of phosphine may cause severe pulmonary irritation leading to acute pulmonary oedema, cardiovascular dysfunction, CNS excitation, coma and death. Gastrointestinal disorders, renal damage and leukopenia may also occur. Chronic exposure to phosphine can result in anemia, bronchitis, gastrointestinal effects, and visual, speech and motor problems. (4, 6)
SymptomsEarly symptoms of acute phosphine intoxication include pain in the diaphragm, nausea, vomiting, excitement, and a phosphorus smell on the breath. Higher levels can cause weakness, bronchitis, pulmonary edema, shortness of breath, convulsions, and death. Some effects, such as pulmonary edema, convulsions, and liver injury, may appear or continue to be present days after an exposure. Liquid phosphine on your skin can cause frostbite. Ingestion of metal phosphides results in release of phosphine in your stomach which can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. (4)
TreatmentAs there is no antidote for phosphine poisoning, treatment is mainly symptomatic. Artificial respiration, gastric lavage, and/or administration of activated charcoal may be necessary. (6)
Concentrations
Not Available
External Links
DrugBank IDNot Available
HMDB IDHMDB0001315
FooDB IDFDB013348
Phenol Explorer IDNot Available
KNApSAcK IDNot Available
BiGG IDNot Available
BioCyc IDNot Available
METLIN IDNot Available
PDB IDNot Available
Wikipedia LinkPhosphorus
Chemspider ID4575369
ChEBI ID28659
PubChem Compound ID5462309
Kegg Compound IDC06262
YMDB IDYMDB01523
ECMDB IDNot Available
References
Synthesis ReferenceNot Available
MSDSNot Available
General References
1. Gaucheron F: The minerals of milk. Reprod Nutr Dev. 2005 Jul-Aug;45(4):473-83. doi: 10.1051/rnd:2005030.
2. Tsioulpas A, Grandison AS, Lewis MJ: Changes in physical properties of bovine milk from the colostrum period to early lactation. J Dairy Sci. 2007 Nov;90(11):5012-7. doi: 10.3168/jds.2007-0192.
3. Jensen HB, Poulsen NA, Andersen KK, Hammershoj M, Poulsen HD, Larsen LB: Distinct composition of bovine milk from Jersey and Holstein-Friesian cows with good, poor, or noncoagulation properties as reflected in protein genetic variants and isoforms. J Dairy Sci. 2012 Dec;95(12):6905-17. doi: 10.3168/jds.2012-5675. Epub 2012 Oct 3.
4. Gaucheron F: Milk and dairy products: a unique micronutrient combination. J Am Coll Nutr. 2011 Oct;30(5 Suppl 1):400S-9S.
5. Semaghiul Birghila, Simona Dobrinas, Gabriela Stanciu and Alina Soceanu. Determination of major and minor elements in milk through ICP-AES. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal. November/December 2008, Vol.7, No.6, 805-808
6. A. Foroutan et al. The Chemical Composition of Commercial Cow's Milk (in preparation)
7. Park, Y. W; Juárez, Manuela ; Ramos, M.; Haenlein, G. F. W. Physico-chemical characteristics of goat and sheep milk. Small Ruminant Res.(2007) 68:88-113 doi: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2006.09.013
8. USDA Food Composition Databases: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/
9. Fooddata+, The Technical University of Denmark (DTU): https://frida.fooddata.dk/QueryFood.php?fn=milk&lang=en
10. Slatopolsky E, Gonzalez E, Martin K: Pathogenesis and treatment of renal osteodystrophy. Blood Purif. 2003;21(4-5):318-26.
11. Goodman WG: Calcimimetic agents and secondary hyperparathyroidism: rationale for use and results from clinical trials. Pediatr Nephrol. 2003 Dec;18(12):1206-10. Epub 2003 Oct 28.
12. Siqueira WL, de Oliveira E, Mustacchi Z, Nicolau J: Electrolyte concentrations in saliva of children aged 6-10 years with Down syndrome. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2004 Jul;98(1):76-9.
13. Urena P, Frazao JM: Calcimimetic agents: review and perspectives. Kidney Int Suppl. 2003 Jun;(85):S91-6.
14. Pawlowska J, Matusik H, Socha P, Ismail H, Ryzko J, Karczmarewicz E, Jankowska I, Teisseyre M, Lorenc R: Beneficial effect of liver transplantation on bone mineral density in small infants with cholestasis. Transplant Proc. 2004 Jun;36(5):1479-80.
15. Obata T, Someya Y, Suhara T, Ota Y, Hirakawa K, Ikehira H, Tanada S, Okubo Y: Neural damage due to temporal lobe epilepsy: dual-nuclei (proton and phosphorus) magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2004 Feb;58(1):48-53.
16. Gandhy M, Damle SG: Relation of salivary inorganic phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase to the dental caries status in children. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2003 Dec;21(4):135-8.
17. Casari S, Rossi V, Varenna M, Gasparini M, Parafioriti A, Failoni S, Sinigaglia L: A case of oncogenic osteomalacia detected by 111In-pentetreotide total body scan. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2003 Jul-Aug;21(4):493-6.
18. Ahn JH, Yoo CI, Lee CR, Lee JH, Lee H, Kim CY, Park JK, Sakai T, Yoon CS, Kim Y: Calcification mimicking manganese-induced increased signal intensities in T1-weighted MR images in a patient taking herbal medicine: case report. Neurotoxicology. 2003 Dec;24(6):835-8.
19. Emmett M: A comparison of clinically useful phosphorus binders for patients with chronic kidney failure. Kidney Int Suppl. 2004 Sep;(90):S25-32.