Arsine

Arsine is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula AsH₃.

Production

Arsine is usually produced by reacting arsenic(III) compounds with hydrides.^[1]
${\displaystyle {\ce {4 AsCl3 + 3 NaBH4 = 4 AsH3 + 3 NaCl + 3 BCl3}}}$

Arsenides like sodium arsenide(Na₃As) can be used to produce arsine^[2]:
${\displaystyle {\ce {Na3As + 3 HBr = AsH3 + 3 NaBr}}}$

History

Arsine was first made by Carl Scheele in 1775 by reducing arsenic(III) oxide with zinc in acid.

Properties

Physical Properties

At room temperature and pressure, arsine is a colorless gas. It has a smell like garlic since it oxidizes in the air. It is slightly soluble in water, and is soluble in some organic solvents.

Chemical Properties

The chemical properties of arsine are similar to those of ammonia and phosphine.

When heated, arsine decomposes into elemental arsenic and hydrogen:
${\displaystyle {\ce {2AsH3 = 3H2 + 2As}}}$

Arsine can be oxidized by oxygen in the air, forming arsenic(III) oxide:
${\displaystyle {\ce {2AsH3 + 3O2 = As2O3 + 3H2O}}}$

Arsine is slightly acidic. It can be deprotonated to form ${\displaystyle {\ce {AsH2^-}}}$. Arsine can also be protonated by strong acids to form ${\displaystyle {\ce {AsH4^+}}}$.
${\displaystyle {\ce {AsH3 + NaNH2 = NaAsH2 + NH3}}}$

Arsine can react with halogens. The reaction can lead to an explosion and can be very dangerous.

Applications

Arsine can be used to produce the semiconductor gallium arsinide(GaAs).
${\displaystyle {\ce {Ga(CH3)3 + AsH3 = GaAs + 3 CH4}}}$

References

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