- Calcium phosphide
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OtherNames = Photophor, CP, Polythanol
Section1 = Chembox Identifiers
CASNo = 1305-99-3
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Section2 = Chembox Properties
Formula = Ca3P2
MolarMass = 182.18 g/mol
Appearance = red-brown crystalline powder or grey lumps
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MeltingPt = 1600 °C
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Section7 = Chembox Hazards
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RPhrases = R15/29 R28 R50
SPhrases = S1/2 S22 S43 S45 S61
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ExploLimits =Calcium phosphide (CP, Ca3P2) is a chemical that has uses in
incendiary bomb s. It has the appearance of red-brown crystalline powder or grey lumps, with melting point of 1600 °C. Its trade name is Photophor for the incendiary use or Polythanol for the use asrodenticide . ItsCAS number is CASREF|CAS=1305-99-3.On contact with acids or water,
calcium phosphide releasesphosphine , which ignites spontaneously.Metal phosphides have been used as
rodenticides . A mixture of food and calcium phosphide is left where the rodents can eat it. The acid in the digestive system of the rodent reacts with the phosphide to generate the toxic phosphine gas. This method of vermin control has possible use in places where rodents immune to many of the common poisons have appeared. Other pesticides similar to calcium phosphide arezinc phosphide andaluminium phosphide .Calcium phosphide is also used in
fireworks ,torpedo es, self-igniting navalpyrotechnic flare s, and various water-activated ammunition.During 1920's and 1930's,
Charles Kingsford Smith used separate buoyant canisters ofcalcium carbide and calcium phosphide as naval flares lasting up to ten minutes.It is speculated that calcium phosphide was an ingredient of some ancient
Greek fire formulas.Its safety and risk phrases are R15/29 R28 R50 S1/2 S22 S43 S45 S61.
Calcium phosphide is a common impurity in
calcium carbide , which may cause the resulting phosphine-contaminated acetylene to ignite spontaneously.External links
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