Title: Arsine
CAS Registry Number: 7784-42-1
Additional Names: Arsenic trihydride; hydrogen arsenide
Molecular Formula: AsH3
Molecular Weight: 77.95
Percent Composition: As 96.11%, H 3.88%
Literature References: Prepn: Wendt, Landauer, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 42, 930 (1920); Jolly, Drake, Inorg. Synth. 7, 41 (1963); Schenk in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry vol 1, G. Brauer, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1963) pp 593-595. Toxicity: Doig, Lancet 2, 88 (1958); Vallee et al., Arch. Ind. Health 21, 132 (1960).
Properties: Colorless, neutral gas. Disagreeable garlic odor. Very poisonous! mp -117°. bp -62.5°. Dissociation pressure at 0° = 0.806 atm. Decomposes when heated at 300°, depositing arsenic which volatilizes at 400°. On exposure to light, moist arsine decomposes quickly depositing shiny black arsenic. Slightly sol in water. Aq solns are neutral. Traces are best removed by absorption in potassium permanganate soln or in bromine water.
Melting point: mp -117°
Boiling point: bp -62.5°
CAUTION: Potential symptoms of overexposure are headache, malaise, weakness and dizziness; dyspnea; abdominal and back pain; nausea, vomiting; bronze skin; hematuria; jaundice; peripheral neuropathy; direct contact with liquid may cause frostbite. Potential occupational carcinogen. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 20. |