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

Answer

A

Explanation

`P_(4)+3NaOH+3H_(2)O to 3NaHPO_(2)+PH_(3)`
`PH_(3)` is less basic than `NH_(3)` because due to bigger size of phosphorus atom than that of nitrogen, electron density of the lone pair is less in `PH_(3)` than in `NH_(3)`. Therefore, `PH_(3)` is a weaker Lewis base than `NH_(3)`.