phos·phine   (fŏs'fēn')    n.   A colorless, spontaneously flammable poisonous gas, PH3, having a fishy odor and used as a doping agent for solid-state components. Any of several organic compounds having the structure of an amine but with phosphorus in place of nitrogen.

Main Entry: phos·phine
Pronunciation: -"fEn
Function: noun
1 : a colorless poisonous flammable gas PH₃ that is a weaker base thanammonia and that is used especially to fumigate stored grain
2 : any of various derivatives of phosphine analogous to amines but weaker as bases

phosphine

a colourless, flammable, extremely toxic gas, with a disagreeable, garlic-like odour. Phosphine is formed by the action of a strong base or hot water on white phosphorus or by the reaction of water with calcium phosphide (Ca3P2). Phosphine is structurally similar to ammonia (NH3), but phosphine is a much poorer solvent than ammonia and is much less soluble in water.

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