Potassium phosphide

General Description

Potassium phosphide is a white crystalline or powdered solid. When exposed to water Potassium phosphide may react violently and start a fire. Potassium phosphide is toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. Potassium phosphide is used to make other chemicals.

Air & Water Reactions

Decomposed by water or moisture in air evolving toxic phosphine which often ignites [NFPA 1991].

Reactivity Profile

Potassium phosphide is a reducing agent. They slowly generate flammable or noxious gases in contact with water. Phosphides react quickly upon contact with moisture or acids to give the very toxic gas phosphine; phosphides also can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. In general, materials in this group are incompatible with oxidizers such as atmospheric oxygen. They are violently incompatible with acids, particularly oxidizing acids.

Health Hazard

Highly toxic: contact with water produces toxic gas, may be fatal if inhaled. Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Produce flammable and toxic gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.