Question

On heating with concentrated $NaOH$ solution in an inert atmosphere of $CO_2$ white phosphorous gives a gas. Which of the following statement is incorrect about the gas ?

• A. It is less basic than $NH _3$
• B. It is more basic than $NH_3$
• C. It is highly poisonous and has smell like rotten fish.
• D. It's solution in water decomposes in the presence of light

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

It is more basic than $NH_3$

Answer 2

$\underset{\text{white}}{{P_4}}+3znaOH \to \underset{\text{Phosphine }}{{PH_3}}+\underset{\text{Sodium hypophosphite}}{{3NaH_2PO_2}}$

Phosphine is a colourless gas with rotten fish smell and is highly poisonous. Its solution in water decomposes in the presence of light.

Phosphine is weakly basic. So Statement (II) is incorrect.

It is less basic than $NH _{3}$.