Methylphosphine
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:Reactions
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:
It protonates to give the phosphonium ion:
With strong bases, it can be deprotonated to give methylphosphide derivatives:
