Question:

Consider the following reaction: \[ \text{Ca}_3\text{P}_2 \xrightarrow{\text{HCl}} \text{X} + \text{Y} \uparrow \] Which of the following is not correct regarding Y?

Show Hint

Phosphine ($\text{PH}_3$) is a colorless, highly poisonous gas with a rotten fish smell.
Pure $\text{PH}_3$ is non-inflammable, but it becomes inflammable in the presence of impurities like $\text{P}_2\text{H}_4$ or $\text{P}_4$ vapors.
Updated On: Jul 22, 2026
  • Yellow colored gas with rotten fish smell
  • Lewis base
  • In aqueous solution it decomposes in presence of light
  • Explodes in contact with traces of $\text{Cl}_2$ vapors
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question is about the reaction of calcium phosphide ($\text{Ca}_3\text{P}_2$) with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and requires us to identify the incorrect statement about the gaseous product Y.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
We must first write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction to identify gas Y.
Then, we evaluate the chemical and physical properties of Y against the given options.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

• The reaction of calcium phosphide with hydrochloric acid is:
\[ \text{Ca}_3\text{P}_2 + 6\text{HCl} \rightarrow 3\text{CaCl}_2 + 2\text{PH}_3 \uparrow \] Therefore, product X is Calcium chloride ($\text{CaCl}_2$), and Y is Phosphine gas ($\text{PH}_3$).

• Let us evaluate the statements regarding phosphine ($\text{PH}_3$):

• Statement (A): "Yellow colored gas with rotten fish smell"
Phosphine is a colorless gas, not a yellow-colored gas. It does have a characteristic rotten fish smell. Because it is described as yellow-colored, this statement is incorrect (which makes it the correct option to select).

• Statement (B): "Lewis base"
This statement is correct. The phosphorus atom in $\text{PH}_3$ has a lone pair of electrons ($\text{:PH}_3$), which it can donate, making it a weak Lewis base.

• Statement (C): "In aqueous solution it decomposes in presence of light"
This statement is correct. Aqueous solutions of $\text{PH}_3$ decompose in the presence of light to give red phosphorus and hydrogen gas.

• Statement (D): "Explodes in contact with traces of $\text{Cl}_2$ vapors"
This statement is correct. Phosphine is highly reactive and explodes when it comes into contact with oxidizing agents like $\text{Cl}_2$, $\text{HNO}_3$, or $\text{Br}_2$ vapors.


Step 4: Final Answer:
The incorrect statement is (A) because phosphine is a colorless gas.
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