4 P + 3 OH- + 3 H2O → PH3 + 3 H2PO2-

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

3 P0 - 3 e- → 3 PI (oxidation)

P0 + 3 e- → P-III (reduction)

P is both an oxidizing and a reducing agent (disproportionation (dismutation)).

Reactants:

  • P
    • OH- – Hydroxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
      • Other names: Hydroxide ion source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07
    • H2O – Water, oxidane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
      • Other names: Water (H2O) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen hydroxide (HH or HOH) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen oxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
      • Appearance: White crystalline solid, almost colorless liquid with a hint of blue, colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27

    Products:

    • PH3 – Phosphane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
      • Other names: Phosphine source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Phosphamine source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Phosphorus trihydride source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
      • Appearance: Colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colourless compressed liquefied gas source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Colorless gas with a fish- or garlic-like odor. [pesticide] [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. Pure compound is odorless.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • H2PO2-