Common name: aluminium phosphide
IUPAC name: aluminium phosphide
Chemical Abstracts name: aluminum phosphide
CAS RN: [20859-73-8]
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
Mol. wt.: 58.0; M.f.: AlP; Form: Dark grey or yellowish crystals. M.p.: >1000 ºC; V.p.: Very low, even at 1000 ºC. S.g./density: 2.85 (25 °C). Stability: Though stable when dry, it reacts with moist air, violently with acids, producing phosphine.
APPLICATIONS
Mode of action: Insecticide and rodenticide which is a respiratory, metabolic, and nerve poison. Evolves a non-flammable mixture of phosphine (the toxicant), ammonia and carbon dioxide.
Uses: Fumigation control of insect and rodent pests in stored grains (wheat, rye, barley, rice, sorghum, maize, etc.), seed grains, grain products (flour, noodles, semolina, etc.), pulses (peas, beans, lentils, etc.), tobacco, tapioca (roots and flour), oil seeds, expeller cake, nuts, nut kernels, dried fruit, coffee beans, cocoa beans, tea, etc.; and in empty warehouses, silos, packing materials, transport containers, etc.
Phytotoxicity: Living plants, fresh vegetables and fruits, with few exceptions, should not be fumigated.
Formulation types: GE; Fumigant.
MAMMALIAN TOXICOLOGY
Oral: Acute oral LD50 for rats 8.7 mg/kg.
EC hazard: F; R15/29| T+; R28| R32
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Animals: In mammals, phosphine is probably metabolised to non-toxic phosphates.
Plants: In stored products, phosphine undergoes oxidation to phosphoric acid.
