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. 1. It is highly poisonous and has smell like rotten fish.
B. 2. Its solution in water decomposes in the presence of light.
C. 3. It is more basic than `NH_(3)`
D. 4. It is less basic than `NH_(3)`.

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the gas produced when white phosphorus reacts with concentrated sodium hydroxide in an inert atmosphere of carbon dioxide, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Reactants and Conditions
We start with white phosphorus (P₄) and concentrated sodium hydroxide (NaOH) under an inert atmosphere of carbon dioxide (CO₂).

### Step 2: Write the Reaction
When white phosphorus reacts with concentrated sodium hydroxide, the following reaction occurs:
\[ P_4 + 4 NaOH \rightarrow 2 Na_2H_2PO_2 + PH_3 \]
This reaction produces sodium hypophosphite (Na₂H₂PO₂) and phosphine (PH₃) gas.

### Step 3: Identify the Gas Produced
From the reaction, we see that the gas produced is phosphine (PH₃).

### Step 4: Analyze the Properties of Phosphine
Phosphine (PH₃) is known to be a basic gas, but it is less basic compared to ammonia (NH₃).

### Step 5: Evaluate the Statements
The question asks which statement about the gas is incorrect. Among the properties of phosphine, one statement that is likely to be incorrect is that phosphine is more basic than ammonia (NH₃). In fact, ammonia is more basic than phosphine.

### Conclusion
Thus, the incorrect statement about the gas (PH₃) is that it is more basic than NH₃.

### Final Answer
The incorrect statement is: "PH₃ is more basic than NH₃."

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