On heating with concentrated NaOH solution in an inert atmosphere of `CO_(2)`, white phosphorus gives a gas. Which of the following statements is incorrect about the gas ?

Options

A. It is highly poisonous and has smell like rotten fish.
B. Its solution in water decomposes in the presence of light.
C. It is more basic than `NH_(3)`
D. It is less basic than `NH_(3)`.

Answer

C

Explanation

In the laboratory, phosphine `(PH_(3))` is prepared by heating white phosphorus with concentrated NaOH solution in an inert atmosphere of `CO_(2)`
`P_(4) + 3NaOH + 3H_(2)O rarr PH_(3) + 3NaH_(2)PO_(2)`
`PH_(3)` is less basic than `NH_(3)` as due to larger size of P, the electron density is diffused over a larger region and thus, the ability to donate electron pair is less.