Methylphosphine is the simplest organophosphorus compound with the formula CH3PH2, often written MePH2. It is a malodorous gas that condenses to a colorless liquid. It can be produced by methylation of phosphide salts:[1]

Methylphosphine
Names
Other names
Methylphosphane
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
  • InChI=1S/CH5P/c1-2/h2H2,1H3
    Key: SAWKFRBJGLMMES-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • InChI=1/CH5P/c1-2/h2H2,1H3
    Key: SAWKFRBJGLMMES-UHFFFAOYAG
  • CP
Properties
CH3PH2
Molar mass 48.02
Appearance colorless gas
Boiling point −17.1 °C (1.2 °F; 256.0 K)
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
toxic
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
KPH2 + MeI → MePH2 + KI

Reactions

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The compound exhibits the properties characteristic of a primary phosphine, i.e., a compound of the type RPH2. It can be oxidized to methylphosphonous acid:

MePH2 + O2 → MeP(H)O2H

It protonates to give the phosphonium ion:

MePH2 + H+ → MePH3+

With strong bases, it can be deprotonated to give methylphosphide derivatives:

MePH2 + KOH → K[MePH] + H2O

References

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  1. ^ W. L. Jolly “Methylphosphine” Inorganic Syntheses 1968, volume 11, p. 124. doi:10.1002/9780470132425.ch25