Fluorite
Hazard to Others
Posts: 142
Registered: 26-12-2018
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Unwanted phosphine from an iron pan dissolution
Hi everyone, I ran into a potentially dangerous chemical situation and wanted some insight.
I was trying to make ferrous sulfate crystals from this old cast iron pan using a concentrated sodium bisulfate solution I left in my balcony. After
leaving the pan in the solution, I noticed an unusual smell that I suspect was phosphine. I didn’t open the balcony door for a day, and when I
finally did, the smell was still noticeable.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened with this pan. One time, I tried to clean it indoors with citric acid
lemon salt, and I also smelled what seemed like phosphine.
I’m curious about a few things:
Could a normal iron pan contain enough phosphorus impurities to form iron phosphide, which would release phosphine when reacted with acids?
How long could phosphine realistically be produced in concentrated acid solutions?
Could impurities in commercial sodium bisulfate or citric acid contribute to this?
What are safe ways to handle or neutralize the leftover solution and the pan?
I know phosphine is highly toxic and flammable, so I’ve been very cautious. I’d love guidance from chemists, crystal-growing hobbyists, or anyone
familiar with iron-acid reactions.
Thanks in advance!
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Sulaiman
International Hazard
Posts: 3942
Registered: 8-2-2015
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how do you know that it was phosphine ?
CAUTION : Hobby Chemist, not Professional or even Amateur
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Radiums Lab
Hazard to Others
Posts: 299
Registered: 18-3-2025
Location: India
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Mood: Experiencing the elegance of science.
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I had similar problems with iron nails too, I made a thread on it. Its not H2S, might be aerosols.
Water is dangerous if you don't know how to handle it, elemental fluorine (F₂) on the other hand is pretty tame if you know what you are doing.
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