12057-74-8

Basic information

• Product Name: Magnesium phosphide
• Synonyms: trimagnesium diphosphide;MAGNESIUM PHOSPHIDE;Magtoxin;Magnesium phosphide (Mg3P2);Magnesiumphosphid;magnesium phosphide trimagnesium diphosphide;Fumi-Cel;Caswell no. 532b
• CAS NO: 12057-74-8
• Molecular Formula: Mg3P2
• Molecular Weight: 134.86
• EINECS: 235-023-7
• Mol File: 12057-74-8.mol
• Article Data: 0

Chemical Properties

• Melting Point: 750 °C
• Boiling Point: 56-57°C10mm Hg(lit.)
• Flash Point: 135°F
• Appearance: /yellow cubic crystals
• Density: 2.060
• Water Solubility: decomposed by H2O [KIR82]
• CAS DataBase Reference: Magnesium phosphide(CAS DataBase Reference)
• NIST Chemistry Reference: Magnesium phosphide(12057-74-8)
• EPA Substance Registry System: Magnesium phosphide(12057-74-8)

Safety Data

• Hazard Codes: F,T+,N
• Statements: 15/29-28-50
• Safety Statements: 22-43-45-61
• RIDADR: UN 2011
• HazardClass: 4.3
• PackingGroup: I
• Hazardous Substances Data: 12057-74-8(Hazardous Substances Data)

Usage

Description

Magnesium phosphide, with the chemical formula Mg3P2 and a molecular weight of 134.9456 g/mol, is a white crystalline solid that appears as a yellow cubic crystal. It has a density of 2.06 g/cm3 and reacts violently with water, potentially igniting upon contact with air. It is toxic by ingestion and has a slight odor of garlic. Magnesium phosphide is used to make other chemicals and is stable in dry air but decomposes when exposed to moisture.

Uses

Used in Pest Control Industry:
Magnesium phosphide is used as a pesticide for controlling insects and rodents. It reacts with moisture in the atmosphere to produce phosphine gas, which is the active substance for pest control.
Used in Fumigation:
Magnesium phosphide is used as a fumigant for indoor fumigation of raw agricultural commodities, animal feeds, processed food commodities, and nonfood commodities in sealed containers or structures. It is also used for outdoor fumigation of burrows to control rodents and moles in nondomestic areas, noncropland, and agricultural areas.
Used in Chemical Formulation:
Magnesium phosphide is formulated as tablets, pellets, impregnated materials, and dusts for various applications.
Used in Restricted Chemicals:
Aluminum and magnesium phosphide are classified as restricted use chemicals due to their potential hazards.
Used in Tobacco Fumigation:
A fumigant made from magnesium phosphide can be used for fumigating tobacco even at low temperatures.
Used in Dried-Fig Treatment:
Magnesium phosphide treatment has been compared with the standard method of control, Methyl bromide, for dried-fig stacks. The tested concentrations and exposure periods for Mg3P2 provided 100% mortality in test insects and no negative effect on fruit quality for 9 months in storage under ambient conditions.
Used in Stored Food Commodities:
Magnesium phosphide has been used to control insects in stored almonds, barley, brazil nuts, cashews, cocoa beans, coffee beans, corn, cottonseed, dates, filberts, flower seed, grass seed, millet, oats, peanuts, pecans, pistachio nuts, popcorn, rice, rye, sorghum, soybeans, sunflower seed, triticale, walnuts, wheat, and vegetable seed, as well as animal feed or feed ingredients.

Air & Water Reactions

Decomposed by water or moisture in air evolving toxic phosphine and diphosphine, that often ignites [Douda 1966]. May ignite upon contact with air.

Reactivity Profile

Magnesium phosphide is a strong reducing agent. Nitric acid oxidizes Magnesium phosphide with incandescence [Mellor 8:842. 1946-47]. Magnesium phosphide ignites on heating with chlorine, bromine, or iodine vapors, [Mellor, 1940, Vol. 8, 842]. Magnesium phosphide reacts vigorously with most oxidants. Magnesium phosphide and Magtoxin have not been reported as flammable chemical substances. However, they react readily with water to produce hydrogen phosphide (phosphine, PH3) gas, which may ignite spontaneously in air. Magnesium phosphide is stable to most chemical reactions, except for hydrolysis. Magtoxin, Fumi-Cel, and Fumi-Strip will react with moist air, liquid water, acids, and some other liquids to produce toxic and flammable hydrogen phosphide gas. Magnesium phosphide is more reactive than aluminium phosphide and will liberate hydrogen phosphide more rapidly and more completely at lower temperatures and humidities. Magnesium phosphide is not combustible but forms flammable gas on contact with water or damp air. Magnesium phosphide gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire and on contact with water or damp air may cause explosion hazard.

Health Hazard

Highly toxic: contact with water produces toxic gas, may be fatal if inhaled. Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Produce flammable and toxic gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.

Safety Profile

A poison. Flammable when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizing materials. Ignites when heated in chlorine, bromine, or iodine vapors. Incandescent reaction with nitric acid. Reacts with water to evolve flammable phosphme gas. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of POx and phosphine. See also MAGNESIUM and PHOSPHIDES.

InChI:InChI=1/3Mg.2P/q3*+2;2*-3