Definition of phosphines

1. PH3 and compounds derived from it by substituting one, two or three hydrogen atoms by hydrocarbyl groups: R3P. RPH2, R2PH and R 3P (R not equal to H) are called primary, secondary and tertiary phosphines, respectively. NOC Rule D-5.11. A specific phosphine is preferably named as a substituted phosphane. GNOC Recom. R-5.1.3.2. E.g. CH3PH2 methylphosphane. Cf. phosphanes.